Forums · Yates gets Life
Just saw this:
HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Texas jury on Friday spared Andrea Yates from execution by lethal injection, sentencing her to life in prison for drowning her five young children in the family bathtub last summer.
In the 35 minutes it took to determine her sentence, the eight women and four men of the jury decided Yates was not a future danger to society, which means an automatic life sentence. Under Texas law, that is at least 40 years without a chance of parole.
The 37-year-old former nurse confessed to drowning her children, aged 6 months to 7 years, in the bathtub of their Houston home on June 20, 2001, but she said she did it to protect them from Satan. She had been mentally ill for at least two years, twice attempting suicide and four times being treated at a mental hospital, testimony showed.
The same jury took less than four hours on Tuesday to convict her of capital murder, rejecting the insanity defense her lawyers mounted. Prosecutors acknowledged Yates was sick but successfully persuaded the panel she knew the crime was wrong, the only standard for sanity in Texas.
Prosecutors asked and received the court's permission to pursue the death penalty, but suggested in closing arguments that jurors hand down a life sentence.
Well I'm relieved - (as if that will ever make up for the 5 beautiful, innocent souls so senselessly taken). =(
HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Texas jury on Friday spared Andrea Yates from execution by lethal injection, sentencing her to life in prison for drowning her five young children in the family bathtub last summer.
In the 35 minutes it took to determine her sentence, the eight women and four men of the jury decided Yates was not a future danger to society, which means an automatic life sentence. Under Texas law, that is at least 40 years without a chance of parole.
The 37-year-old former nurse confessed to drowning her children, aged 6 months to 7 years, in the bathtub of their Houston home on June 20, 2001, but she said she did it to protect them from Satan. She had been mentally ill for at least two years, twice attempting suicide and four times being treated at a mental hospital, testimony showed.
The same jury took less than four hours on Tuesday to convict her of capital murder, rejecting the insanity defense her lawyers mounted. Prosecutors acknowledged Yates was sick but successfully persuaded the panel she knew the crime was wrong, the only standard for sanity in Texas.
Prosecutors asked and received the court's permission to pursue the death penalty, but suggested in closing arguments that jurors hand down a life sentence.
Well I'm relieved - (as if that will ever make up for the 5 beautiful, innocent souls so senselessly taken). =(
Yup - I watched it on the news - well, them talking about it just after it happened.
As Nakis said in the other thread, I too still have some misgivings about her husband. He even stated that his 20 year class reunion is coming up and he's now no different from what he was when he graduated from high school. Kinda like, I'm free of all responsibilities and I can start all over again. He didn't rule out the possibility of having more kids either - and obviously it won't be with Andrea. Wonder how she'll feel when she catches wind of that!? He's (pretended?) to be such a staunch supporter of her through all of this, now sounds like he's going to move on with his life. Ohh what a wicked web!
Kell
As Nakis said in the other thread, I too still have some misgivings about her husband. He even stated that his 20 year class reunion is coming up and he's now no different from what he was when he graduated from high school. Kinda like, I'm free of all responsibilities and I can start all over again. He didn't rule out the possibility of having more kids either - and obviously it won't be with Andrea. Wonder how she'll feel when she catches wind of that!? He's (pretended?) to be such a staunch supporter of her through all of this, now sounds like he's going to move on with his life. Ohh what a wicked web!
Kell
I think they did the best thing. I wouldn't want to be a juror on a trial that finds her guilty, and then have her get death, because I would always wonder if they had killed a woman who was truly more mentally ill than anyone even knows. Hopefully, she won't ever be out again where she can harm any more children.
It is so sad to think of how frightened those poor children were. ='(
Bless them all.
azspirit
It is so sad to think of how frightened those poor children were. ='(
Bless them all.
azspirit
I'm with you Kell. I just saw the tail end of him being interviewed after the sentencing. Good thing I didn't have anything in my hand at the time, I would have thrown it at the TV. I cannot believe how this has affected me emotionally. I guess I am feeling so much pain for those poor children. This jerk said that obviously he wasn't happy with the verdict or the sentencing(I'm paraphrasing). As a matter of fact, he's surprised it even went to trial. WHAT???????? His 5 children were murdered by their mother - what did he expect? What frightens me is that this (blankety blank) is still allowed to procreate. I am so sorry if I'm offending anyone but I just can't shake this anger. I need to go calm down now. Thanks for letting me vent (I should have put this in the venting forum).
May these 5 beautiful souls always fly with the angels in peace and comfort.
Donna
May these 5 beautiful souls always fly with the angels in peace and comfort.
Donna
Did anyone else notice this? It started to rain while the Mr. was speaking to the press. Almost like the heavens were crying. It didn't appear stormy to me when the other people were talking. I was surprised to see all the umbrellas come out behind Mr. Yates as he spoke!
Kell
Kell
I don't think there is any way Mr. Yates, a first class jerk, will be able to "get on with his life". This moron would have to move to Timbuktu and change his name and identity forever just so people wouldn't spit at him in the streets.
I guarantee if he goes to that class reunion, someone will say or do something to him. Feelings run too high on this case for there not to be some incidents. I've got to say, any woman who would marry this loser after what happened with Andrea Yates would have to be a nut. I caught the part about him being "offended" that this was ever brought to trial. News Flash, Mr. Yates: It is not open season on children in this country! Just makes me fume!! >:-(
I guarantee if he goes to that class reunion, someone will say or do something to him. Feelings run too high on this case for there not to be some incidents. I've got to say, any woman who would marry this loser after what happened with Andrea Yates would have to be a nut. I caught the part about him being "offended" that this was ever brought to trial. News Flash, Mr. Yates: It is not open season on children in this country! Just makes me fume!! >:-(