July 26, 2006
Yates "not guilty by reason of insanity"

Andrea Yates has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in her retrial.


The verdict upholding Yates' insanity defense comes after the jury deliberated more than 12 hours and spent two nights sequestered at an area hotel . Yates appeared shocked and sat staring wide-eyed with her lips slightly parted as State District Judge Belinda Hill asked each juror individually whether they agreed with the verdict.

The acquittal in Yates' second capital murder trial follows nearly a month's worth of exhaustive testimony, capped by four hours of emotional closing arguments Monday, during which Yates broke down in tears and her former husband, Russell Yates, abruptly left the courtroom.

The jury's verdict means Yates, 42, will be sent to a state mental hospital for treatment, rather than be sentenced to life in prison.

Shortly before 10:30 this morning, the jury sent a note requesting exhibits showing a family portrait and a photo of the children before their deaths.

Over the past two days, the jury appeared to focus on medical expert testimony from both prosecution and defense witnesses.

Tuesday, they asked to see video tapes mental-health experts made of their interviews with Yates after the killings as well as testimony from Park Dietz, a prosecution expert witness, about Yates' statements regarding Satan's presence.

It is unknown how long Yates will be hospitalized, but she will be subject to periodic reviews by state District Judge Belinda Hill's court.


To answer the question currently on the Chron homepage, I say yes, justice has been served. Judging from today's letters to the editor, I'd also say that's what most people in Houston would say as well. May Andrea Yates now finally get the help she so desperately needs.

UPDATE: I have more thoughts on this at Kuff's World.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 26, 2006 to Crime and Punishment | TrackBack
Comments

It was the correct call by the jury, and a good decision.

Maybe now she'll get some help.

Posted by: Sedosi on July 26, 2006 4:29 PM

Judging from today's letters to the editor, I'd also say that's what most people in Houston would say as well.

I think that's a very difficult leap....to use the letter's in the paper to suggest they reflect the opinion of most of the people in Houston.

I can't speak for the people of Houston but I can assure you that was not the point of view of most of the people in my office.

Posted by: Patrick on July 26, 2006 4:54 PM

Patrick is right - the letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the majority view of the community, nor on the other hand do the people in his office. The verdict of the jury is really all that matters, a verdict I thought was just and long overdue. As others have said, if the insanity plea couldn't apply to Andrea Yates, it could never be used. What is it that drives some people in this community to demand more severe punishment? Andrea will likely spend the rest of her life locked up in an institution -isn't that sufficient for them?

Posted by: Dennis on July 27, 2006 5:31 AM