This is exactly right.

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In April, 1935, Judge William Pearson and his wife, Lena were lying on tables just above the cold marble floor.

They were once an esteemed couple in Austin, Texas, the guests of politicians, entertainers, and

kingmakers. But now they were widely known as murder victims.

Lena and Will had gained more attention in just a few days than either of them had experienced in their entire lives.

The Pearson's were lying in state at the Texas Supreme Court Building inside the Capitol.

It's an honor specifically reserved for the state's most important

figures including state Supreme Court judges and their spouses.

Thousands of people filed past them staring at the caskets.

It took a full day and a half for each of the mourners to get their turn.

For decades, the government had held the event that allowed Texans to pay their respects to revered and powerful figures.

But this seemed pretty extraordinary.

Defense attorney David Shepard is not surprised about the incredible amount of attention in this case because it's such an unusual story.

I can't imagine the amount of public interest in kind of the psychological impact that would have on the people of the state.

It would be huge.

And you know, and for judges to be murdered by, in any situation,

is so extraordinarily rare in this state.

Author Gary Laverne agrees. so extraordinarily rare in this state.

author Gary Laverne agrees,

but he also says that all of this media attention

...