CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A Corpus Christi woman has lost an appeal of her life sentence for the salt poisoning of a 4-year-old foster son.
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports Hannah Overton lost her bid before the state's 13th Court of Appeals for a new trial. In a 95-page opinion handed down Thursday, the Corpus Christi-based court ruled there was sufficient evidence to support the Nueces County jury's 2007 verdict.
Overton was convicted of killing Andrew Burd by forcing him to consume a mixture of Cajun spices as a punishment. The mother of five said she intended the spices to satisfy the child's ravenous appetite and contended that his 2006 death could have resulted from salt he consumed on his own.
Prosecutors said she failed to seek medical attention for the child after he lapsed into shock and unconsciousness.
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