SAN ANTONIO -- A capital murder defendant who refused to attend the punishment phase of his trial was hospitalized Wednesday, KSAT 12 News reported.

Ronnie Joe Neal was being treated under heavy security at University Hospital for an undisclosed reason, KSAT 12 News reported.

While Neal was hospitalized, his mother tried to spare his life by testifying in his defense in the punishment phase of Neal's capital murder trial.

Annie Pine, who at times was argumentative with lawyers, delivered heated testimony during her two hours on the witness stand.

Pine told jurors that despite a jury finding her son guilty, Neal was innocent in the slaying of Diane Tilly.

"No, I don't think he did it," Pine said. "I really don't. I can't tell what's in the jury's mind, but if I'm breathing my last breath, I would say, no, I don't believe Ronnie did it."

Pine said that Neal's daughter, Pearl Ann Cruz, who set the murder plot in motion by getting Tilly to open her door, was the one who killed the teacher.

"She knew what she was doing," Pine testified. "Ain't no way in the world nobody ... would have got me to go ringing somebody's doorbell. And she had all kind of opportunities to let this woman go, but she wouldn't let her go."

Pine also told jurors that Neal was depressed and a slow learner as a child and later turned to drugs, which led to a criminal record. She also claimed that her son is mentally retarded, which defense attorneys plan to use a defense in hopes of sparing Neal's life.