Woman Pleads Guilty To Killing 2-Year-Old Son
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
Catherine Alana Stevens pleaded guilty today to murdering her 2-year-old son.
The 38-year-old Tyler woman was initially indicted for capital murder but entered into a plea agreement for a life sentence for strangling her son William to death July 8. She admitted her guilt two days before Mother’s Day and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
Staff Writer
Catherine Alana Stevens pleaded guilty today to murdering her 2-year-old son.
The 38-year-old Tyler woman was initially indicted for capital murder but entered into a plea agreement for a life sentence for strangling her son William to death July 8. She admitted her guilt two days before Mother’s Day and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham requested that her capital murder indictment be dismissed because of the plea agreement and 7th District Judge Kerry Russell granted it after he sentenced the defendant.
The child’s father, Mickey Stevens, reportedly slept in an adjoining room during the attack at the family’s home, at 2513 Memory Lane.
When the father awoke and went to look for his wife, he found Mrs. Stevens standing over the child, who was on the floor. The man took his son, who was not breathing, to the couch and called 911, an affidavit stated.
When the father awoke and went to look for his wife, he found Mrs. Stevens standing over the child, who was on the floor. The man took his son, who was not breathing, to the couch and called 911, an affidavit stated.
Bingham said Mrs. Stevens had a lengthy history of mental illness but mental health experts determined she was not legally insane.
Defense attorneys Brett Harrison and Tonda Curry earlier filed a notice of intent to raise the insanity defense in her capital murder trial but today withdrew the motion.
Defense attorneys Brett Harrison and Tonda Curry earlier filed a notice of intent to raise the insanity defense in her capital murder trial but today withdrew the motion.
They said Mrs. Stevens was examined today by a doctor who found her competent to proceed with the guilty plea.
First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes prosecuted the case along with Bingham.
First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes prosecuted the case along with Bingham.
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