HOUSTON – A mistress on trial for the murder of her lover's wife took the stand Tuesday.
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.
Recommended Videos
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.
Palmer has admitted to lying to investigators after Fuller told her he killed Pauletta Burleson. She admitted that she gave Fuller a ride home that night and stopped the car to let him ditch the murder weapon.
"I was scared," Palmer said. "I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what he expected me to do."
Palmer said she began dating Tracy Burleson in December 2009. She said she thought he was separated from his wife.
Palmer said Tracy Burleson told her that Fuller wanted to kill his stepmother.
Before the killing, Palmer sent text messages to a friend, asking her to find her a gun. Palmer told the jury that she was worried about burglars.
"There were several break-ins in her neighborhood around her home," defense attorney Anthony Osso said. "She was starting school and she wasn't getting out until 10 at night, and she just wanted a gun for protection."
Palmer never bought the gun.
Palmer admitted that she slept with Fuller after learning that he allegedly killed Pauletta Burleson. She said that by that time she had come to fear him.
Earlier in the trial, Fuller became agitated during his testimony and began yelling and pointing at Palmer.
Osso asked for a mistrial and it was later granted, but he withdrew that request and the judge determined that the trial would resume.
Fuller took the stand the next day, made several outbursts again and used profanity.
"It seems like certain things that occur in the courtroom, questions that are asked, if he does or doesn't like the question it triggers an unruly response," Osso said. "He gets off track a little bit, and he's not an easy witness. I think that's saying it mildly."
Osso said he may move to strike Fuller's testimony from the record because of his behavior.
Tracy Burleson was convicted of capital murder in September. Fuller is awaiting trial.