Allen

Facts Appellant, a jealous and spurned lover, devised an intricate plan to murder her boyfriend's common law wife and three-year-old son. The plan was so bizarre that the prosecutor was concerned that jurors would perceive appellant to be suffering from mental health issues and sympathize with her. In 2010, Mynor Plato had an affair with appellant. Plato lived with Maria (Angie) Vasquez and their son, G. Appellant wanted an exclusive relationship and, in October 2010, told Angie that she and Plato were having sexual relations. After Angie and G. moved away, appellant left messages on Angie's phone to remind her that appellant and Plato were still seeing each other. Some of the voicemail messages included recordings of appellant and Plato having sex. Plato reconciled with Angie which angered appellant. Appellant had someone tell Plato that she had killed herself. After Plato moved Angie and G., to Lancaster, appellant reappeared and told Plato that she was pregnant with his child. Appellant visited Plato at work and called him incessantly. On the morning of July 1, 2011, after Plato left for work, appellant "banged" on his front door wearing a John McCain mask.…