WICHITA FALLS, Texas — A date has been set for oral arguments in the ongoing legal battle over the capital murder conviction of James Irvin Staley, III.
The Wichita County District Attorney’s Office will present its case for reinstating Staley’s conviction for the 2019 death of 2-year-old Wilder McDaniel.
Overview of the Case
Staley was convicted of capital murder in March 2023 for the death of Wilder McDaniel, a 2-year-old boy. Following the conviction, he was automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Staley later appealed the conviction, hiring Keith Hampton, a high-profile defense attorney, to represent him during the appeal process.
Appeals and Legal Developments
In March 2025, the Second Court of Appeals overturned Staley’s conviction and remanded the case for a new trial, stating that there were issues with the original trial.
Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie immediately filed a petition for discretionary review, requesting that the Court of Criminal Appeals reinstate Staley’s conviction. The Court of Criminal Appeals granted the petition, paving the way for further proceedings.
Upcoming Oral Arguments
According to court documents, oral arguments will take place on April 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin, Texas. John Gillespie, the Wichita County District Attorney, and Keith Hampton, Staley’s defense attorney, will each present their arguments to the nine justices of the court. The justices will review written briefs submitted earlier this year by both sides.
Outcome and Next Steps
After the oral arguments conclude, the case will be submitted to the justices for a decision. The court will either uphold the Second Court of Appeals’ decision to reverse the conviction or reinstate the capital murder conviction.
If the decision to reverse Staley’s conviction is upheld, District Attorney Gillespie has previously indicated he would retry the case entirely.
The legal battle for James Irvin Staley continues, and the decision by the Court of Criminal Appeals will be a crucial turning point in this highly publicized case.
