Tyra Ann Whitney v. State

MEMORANDUM OPINION 1

LEE GABRIEL, Justice.

Introduction

Appellant Tyra Ann Whitney appeals her conviction for murder, contending in three issues that the trial court erred by (1) denying co-counsel’s active participation during trial, (2) issuing a no-duty-to-retreat instruction in the jury charge, and (3) denying a mistrial after sustaining an objection to the State’s closing argument. We affirm.

Background Facts and Procedural History

Appellant killed her daughter Tashira’s boyfriend with a hammer. Tashira and the deceased often quarreled, at times violently. During their last argument, Tashi-ra…