Claud “Tex” McIver’s life was “spinning out of control” on the September evening in 2017 when he shot his wife, Diane, in the back, prosecutor Seleta Griffin said Tuesday in her opening statement.
MAP: How the McIver shooting unfolded
He had lost his law partnership. Money was tight, though he retained a lavish lifestyle, Griffin said. “He had become dependent on Diane.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Killing her was “planned, intentional and calculated,” the prosecutor said.
All things McIver: To read our previous coverage of the Tex McIver case and find links to our "Breakdown" podcast, visit myajc.com/crime/.
But Tex McIver was sloppy, Griffin said. He gave six different accounts about his wife’s shooting, telling one nurse that Diane was holding the gun behind her back. As they were driving the gun went off, Tex McIver allegedly said.
Minute by minute: Follow our live blog, with real-time updates throughout the McIver trial.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
There were other versions of his story, Griffin said. He allegedly told his spokesman at the time, Bill Crane, that he was holding the gun because they were being menaced by Black Lives Matter protesters. He then asked Crane to retract his story.
He hired a new spokesman, Jeff Dickerson, who is friends with Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.
“You can get this case dismissed,” Griffin said, quoting McIver. “If you do there’s a large bonus in it for you. And I won’t mind if you share it with the DA.”
