SABINE COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - The Texas Attorney General's Office will take over prosecution of Houston attorney Michael Howard, accused of shooting and killing his adult son and burning the body at a Sabine County property, San Augustine County District Attorney Paul Robbins said.

District Judge Jim Payne signed an order transferring the case after Robbins filed a motion to recuse his office.

The recusal followed an opinion from the attorney general's office concluding that local prosecutor staff could become necessary trial witnesses, according to Robbins.