Yates v. State

OPINION

SAM NUCHIA, Justice.

Appellant, Andrea Pia Yates, was charged by two indictments with capital murder for the drowning deaths of three of her five children. 1 Rejecting appellant’s insanity defense, the jury found her guilty and, having answered the special issue regarding appellant’s continuing threat to society “No,” assessed punishment at life in prison. Following the verdict and before the punishment phase of the trial, appellant learned that the State’s expert witness, Dr. Park Dietz, had presented false testimony. Appellant moved for mistrial, but the trial court denied the motion.…