“You keep making this point but review of the literature suggests that the unsigned new will can be used by the people named therein as evidence in a suit not that the executor should follow such an unsigned paper in preference to a legally executed will.”
No. The literature states that the probate court may accept an unsigned will.
In most states they can accept a draft will. AFAIK of only one state (Michigan) allowed an unsigned will to take precedent over a signed will (on appeal) but it required clear and convincing evidence of the deceased intent. Which I doubt was just a “he told me.”
Accepting a draft will is not the same thing as honoring an unsigned will when a legal will has been signed and witnessed.
Yes if there is no signed will.