HOUSTON – A mistrial was declared and later reversed in the trial of a woman charged in her lover's wife's murder.
Rev. Tracy Burleson's wife, Pauletta, was shot to death at their home on Greenloch Lane near Greenrock Lane in northeast Harris County on May 18, 2010.
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Prosecutors said Tracy Burleson paid his son, William Darnell Fuller, 21, $2,000 to kill Pauletta Burleson.
Detectives said Tracy Burleson's mistress was also in on the killing. Tyonne Palmer, 32, was charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence.
Fuller testified in Palmer's trial Wednesday, but he became agitated during the testimony and began yelling and pointing at Palmer.
The judge and defense objected to the outburst, but Fuller's behavior continued.
Fuller told the judge that he needed a break, but she denied that request. He continued to yell at Palmer.
The jury was removed from the courtroom and Palmer's attorney, Anthony Osso, moved for a mistrial. The judge denied that motion.
The judge granted a 10-minute recess and said that she would declare a mistrial if there were any more outbursts.
Fuller took the stand after the recess and made an outburst, and the judge declared a mistrial.
The attorneys went into the judge's chambers and Osso withdrew his request for a mistrial.
The judge reversed her order and the trial was set to continue Thursday morning.
Tracy Burleson was convicted of capital murder in September.