Mistrial declared in molestation case

The lawyer representing a doctor accused of child molestation wants the case thrown out after a judge on Friday declared a mistrial.

“We will be filing a motion to dismiss immediately,” said Houston attorney Stan Schneider, whose client, Dr. Robert Yetman, was charged with indecency with a child.

If the motion to dismiss the case is denied, Yetman could find himself back in the courtroom.

“We are likely going to retry him,” said Jeff McShan, spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Yetman, 54, was accused of inappropriately touching a 7-year-old boy on Jan. 11, 2014, at Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he worked.

Schneider said the judge ordered the mistrial following an outburst in the court room when a prosecutor made a statement that the race of the 7-year-old should be a factor in the jury’s decision.

Schneider objected to the statement.

Yetman is “devastated” about the decision to declare a mistrial, Schneider said.

“He wants to be exonerated,” Schneider said.

The defense team polled the 14 jurors — including the two alternates — after the mistrial. Schneider said the vote was 13 to 1 for an acquittal.

“This is one of the leading pediatricians in the city of Houston. His reputation is impeccable,” Schneider said.

During the trial, five medical residents at the hospital said they were with Yetman at the time he is accused of committing the indecent act, Schneider said.

“This did not happen,” he said. “They are trying to destroy a wonderful man.”