Witness to Harris murder loses job - hotel worker was fired day after testifying

Houston Chronicle ^ | February 17, 2003 | By JO ANN ZUNIGA

[MeekOneGOP]

HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: Local & State

Feb. 17, 2003, 10:49PM

Witness to Harris murder loses job

Hotel worker was fired day after testifying

By JO ANN ZUNIGA
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

A Clear Lake-area hotel official who saw Clara Harris run over and kill her husband with her Mercedes-Benz was unjustly fired the day after he testified in Harris' murder trial, his lawyer said Monday.

Evangelos Smiros was fired from the Nassau Bay Hilton on Jan. 24 because the hotel fears possible legal action from the Harris family, said attorney Chip Lewis.

The hotel's corporate lawyer, Debra Thomas, said Smiros' termination "has nothing to do with his testimony." She said she was not at liberty to say why he was fired or discuss other details.

Smiros, who had worked at the Hilton since May 2000, was the hotel's food and beverage director. He was one of the first witnesses in the trial of Clara Harris, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday after being convicted of murdering her husband, David Harris.

Smiros testified about escorting Clara Harris out of the hotel and to her car on the night of July 24, shortly before she repeatedly ran over her husband in the hotel parking lot. A physical altercation had broken out in the lobby after Harris found her husband there with his mistress, Gail Bridges.

He told jurors that David Harris yelled, "It's over! It's over!" at his wife before she got into her car and "peeled rubber."

Smiros said he chased the car, calling for Clara Harris to stop, but he saw her run over her husband three times.

Lewis said his client complied with the hotel's request to have a hotel lawyer accompany him when he gave his statement. He later talked with the media, however, calling the fatality one of the "most horrific" events he had ever seen, Lewis said.

"He (Smiros) just told the truth and he was fired. This is an abridgment of his First Amendment rights and offensive to be punished for doing his duty," Lewis said.

He said Smiros believes he was fired to lessen the hotel's liability.

"The lawyers for the Harris children could be aiming lawsuits at the Hilton for having inadequate security," Lewis said. "So the hotel fires him to mitigate its liabilities, since he would no longer be working there."

Smiros said hotel officials indicated he was fired because they believed his moonlighting with an independent catering company was a conflict of interest.

"Other employees before and since then have done the same and they have not been fired," Lewis said.

He said he has instructed Smiros not to comment further until they have decided on their response to the firing.

[Ditter]

This brings up something that I mentioned on another thread. The daughter, she had a drivers license, she was 16-17 years old, why did she not grab the keys out of the ignition, fight with Clara, grab the wheel? She sat there & screamed & cried while her father was murdered. I can see him being hit once before she reacted but she sat there for 2 more hits. This reaction that some women have to become hysterical rather than act is troubling. I am a woman & it troubles me but all women aren't like that.

[evad]

ahhh..yes..
I knew there was something smelly about this character.

[MeekOneGOP]

I thought about that too when I read this article. Who knows what might have been going through Lindsey Harris' mind at that point? An 'authority' was putting her stepmom behind the wheel, perhaps she thought he knew best? I certainly don't think that Lindsey had any inkling that Clara would do what followed right after that, however.

I can imagine the horror that overcame Lindsey when Clara ran over David, and that she froze in a state of shock of sorts. At that age, I think I would have. Hard to say when things are happening so fast, I'm sure. Can you imagine being in Lindsey's shoes at that moment? Wow...

[evad]

hey..maybe he can take this guy's case and at least win one for a change.

This aughta be a slam dunk :)

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! But Parnham is a criminal defense lawyer...

He is likely to be the one suing the hotel on Harris' behalf...

[nicmarlo]

That assumes it was the lawyer's idea to fire him. Perhaps it was the hotel management's idea though?

I bet it was the lawyer's idea.....wanna bet? : ) We'll have to follow this.....it'll be interesting, IMHO.

[stylin19a]

He (Smiros) just told the truth and he was fired. This is an abridgment of his First Amendment rights and offensive to be punished for doing his duty," Lewis said.

um...and this guy is a lawyer ?

[Ditter]

Of course the girl was shocked, as anyone would be, but I saw the film of the event. There was time after the first hit to react & maybe stop the 2 & 3 hit. Maybe the first hit killed him & it would have done no good, we will never know now. Women are accused of being too emotional to be in a position of power (president) this says maybe that is true. I don't happen to think that all women react emotionally all the time. I think part of it is cultural & girls & women are *allowed* to act emotional & men are *supposed* to step in & save us. (I am not a psychologist I just play one on FR.) heh

[evad]

LOL ! But Parnham is a criminal defense lawyer...
He is likely to be the one suing the hotel on Harris' behalf...

hehe..good point..

guess he'll still be a loser then.

Wouldn't wanna ruin his perfect record.