February 02, 2006
Andrea Yates released on bond

Andrea Yates has been released from prison on bail. She's not exactly free, however.


Wednesday, [Judge Belinda] Hill granted bail with the assurance that Yates would voluntarily commit herself to Rusk, until her trial begins. She then will be moved to the Harris County Jail psychiatric unit, where she was moved last month for court appearances related to her trial.

Yates has been held at Skyview, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice psychiatric unit near the Rusk hospital, since her conviction.

Hill told Yates that she could not order her to commit herself to Rusk, but was granting bail on the stipulation that she would. [Yates' attorney George] Parnham had asked for $50,000 bail, but said he was happy with Hill's decision and will try to raise the money from people and groups concerned with mental-health issues.

Prosecutors had requested $1 million bail, expressing fear that since she is being allowed to commit herself, Yates will be able to leave the hospital, located about 3 1/2 hours from Houston. They say the heinous nature of the killings indicates that she is a danger to society.

"This is a case about five dead children," Assistant District Attorney Kaylynn Williford said after Hill's decision.

But Parnham told Hill that Rusk officials have given assurances that if Yates attempts to leave, they will hold her and contact Parnham. He said he then would ask that bail be revoked and Yates be returned to the Harris County Jail.


I don't think there's any chance Andrea Yate will make a break for it. I doubt she's got the ability to think in those terms right now. I'm just glad she'll have a chance to be someplace that can treat her effectively. With the retrial scheduled for March 20, she won't be there long, at least not at this time. I'm still hopeful for a plea agreement. We'll see what happens.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on February 02, 2006 to Crime and Punishment | TrackBack
Comments

When was the last time a male murderer was given this sort of preferential treatment?

Posted by: Dalicious on February 2, 2006 2:45 PM

First of all, Dalicious, Andrea Yates is not a "murderer". Murder is a category of crime, and her conviction was set aside. Second, your point is irrelevant and, frankly, kind of silly. My fervent hope is that the Harris County DA will overlook the viciousness of some of his assistants, such as Kaylynn Williford, and do the right thing. Clearly, if there was ever a case where an insanity defense ought to prevail, this one is it. Ms Yates is and was severely mentally ill and cannot be held accountable for actions she could not control. This is the 21st century, we no longer burn witches.

Posted by: Dennis on February 2, 2006 4:51 PM

I could not agree with 'Dennis' more. Comparing a mentally ill woman who gained no deviant joy in the death of her children to your garden variety male mass murderer who's motives are most commonly based in sadistic sexual gratification if simply idiotic......Mental 'illness' is just that, an illness, not a crime.

Posted by: Kay on February 3, 2006 11:48 PM

And where was her hubby in all this? Why on earth would he expect his obviously mentally ill wife to effectively care for herself, let alone five small children.
What she did was horrifying, but indeed, I'm with Dennis and Kay.

Posted by: CaptainAmerica on February 6, 2006 9:32 PM

She's a killer, and her husband is too. Screw her justice. Where's the justice for the five kids she murdered (yes, MURDERED) in cold blood? You apologists ought to get a life and your sense of reality is really distorted.

Posted by: kat on July 27, 2006 7:01 AM