Jessica Tata Trial: Defense seeking leniency in deadly Houston day care fire

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jessica Tata stands at the conclusion of opening statements at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston on Oct. 24, 2012; she was convicted of murder for a fire at the home day care she operated.

/ Mayra Beltran, File, AP Photo/Houston Chronicle

(CBS/AP) HOUSTON - Defense attorneys are arguing for leniency for Jessica Tata, the Houston woman convicted of murder in a fire at her home day care that killed four children.

Tata's attorneys open their case Friday in the punishment phase of her trial. She could be sentenced to up to life in prison for the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo, for which she was specifically tried.

Prosecutors rested their case Thursday. They said the February 2011 fire started after Tata left children alone with a pan of oil on a hot stove while she went shopping. Three other children were injured in the blaze.

Tata's attorneys say she never intended to hurt the children who were killed, who ranged in age from 16 months to 3-years-old, and that she tried to save them.

On Thursday, two seven-year-old girls Tata had cared for told jurors that on separate occasions the woman left several babies unattended.

Kiyana Richardson, whose brother died in the fire and whose sister was seriously injured, testified that on one occasion Tata left her alone in the house with several babies and the 7-year-old helped out, giving them their pacifiers or bottles "so they don't cry." Kiyanna, who was not in the day care facility on the day of the deadly blaze, did not say when this incident happened.

Brighten Long, who was enrolled with her brother at Tata's day care, told jurors Tata once took her and several other children to eat at a McDonald's but left some babies alone in her home. Prosecutors say this happened in July or August 2010.

Complete coverage of Jessica Tata on Crimesider

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by eferrell2 November 16, 2012 3:43 PM EST: Why does she think she deserves leniency?; Reply to this comment


by PourpaixPourpaix November 16, 2012 3:33 PM EST: I'd say more than leniency is in order. Murder is an intentional act to kill, and this woman shows no signs of such intention. I'm glad I wasn't on the jury, because I would have acquitted her in a plain message to government and prosecutors to live up to their duties of public trust. Such acquittal would be unfortunate, because it does seem that she is guilty of negligent manslaughter, reckless endangerment of a child, and gross stupidity.; Reply to this comment


by FoolKiller November 16, 2012 2:08 PM EST: Leniency? Sure... as long as it involves the same pan of oil and hot stove.; Reply to this comment