Post by CCADP on Apr 9, 2006 7:43:04 GMT -5
Neal Hospitalized; Mother Tries To Spare His Life----Defendant Faces
Possible Death By Lethal Injection
A capital murder defendant who refused to attend the punishment phase of
his trial was hospitalized Wednesday, KSAT 12 News reported.
Ronnie Joe Neal was being treated under heavy security at University
Hospital for an undisclosed reason, KSAT 12 News reported.
While Neal was hospitalized, his mother tried to spare his life by
testifying in his defense in the punishment phase of Neal's capital murder
trial.
Annie Pine, who at times was argumentative with lawyers, delivered heated
testimony during her 2 hours on the witness stand.
Pine told jurors that despite a jury finding her son guilty, Neal was
innocent in the slaying of Diane Tilly.
"No, I don't think he did it," Pine said. "I really don't. I can't tell
what's in the jury's mind, but if I'm breathing my last breath, I would
say, no, I don't believe Ronnie did it."
Pine said that Neal's daughter, Pearl Ann Cruz, who set the murder plot in
motion by getting Tilly to open her door, was the one who killed the
teacher.
"She knew what she was doing," Pine testified. "Ain't no way in the world
nobody ... would have got me to go ringing somebody's doorbell. And she
had all kind of opportunities to let this woman go, but she wouldn't let
her go."
Pine also told jurors that Neal was depressed and a slow learner as a
child and later turned to drugs, which led to a criminal record. She also
claimed that her son is mentally retarded, which defense attorneys plan to
use a defense in hopes of sparing Neal's life.
(source: KSAT News)
Possible Death By Lethal Injection
A capital murder defendant who refused to attend the punishment phase of
his trial was hospitalized Wednesday, KSAT 12 News reported.
Ronnie Joe Neal was being treated under heavy security at University
Hospital for an undisclosed reason, KSAT 12 News reported.
While Neal was hospitalized, his mother tried to spare his life by
testifying in his defense in the punishment phase of Neal's capital murder
trial.
Annie Pine, who at times was argumentative with lawyers, delivered heated
testimony during her 2 hours on the witness stand.
Pine told jurors that despite a jury finding her son guilty, Neal was
innocent in the slaying of Diane Tilly.
"No, I don't think he did it," Pine said. "I really don't. I can't tell
what's in the jury's mind, but if I'm breathing my last breath, I would
say, no, I don't believe Ronnie did it."
Pine said that Neal's daughter, Pearl Ann Cruz, who set the murder plot in
motion by getting Tilly to open her door, was the one who killed the
teacher.
"She knew what she was doing," Pine testified. "Ain't no way in the world
nobody ... would have got me to go ringing somebody's doorbell. And she
had all kind of opportunities to let this woman go, but she wouldn't let
her go."
Pine also told jurors that Neal was depressed and a slow learner as a
child and later turned to drugs, which led to a criminal record. She also
claimed that her son is mentally retarded, which defense attorneys plan to
use a defense in hopes of sparing Neal's life.
(source: KSAT News)