How can somone MURDER 5 children and be found NOT GUILTY??

Question

Andrea Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity...she did not look insane to me during the trial. Your thoughts??

Answer 1

It's called the "Twinkie defense"
In jurisprudence, a "Twinkie defense" is a criminal defendant's claim that some unusual factor entered into the causes or motives of the alleged crime. This biological defense is a so-called "innovative defense", through which defendants argue that they either should not be held criminally liable for actions which broke the law, or that the criminal liability should be mitigated to a lesser offense (e.g., from murder down to voluntary manslaughter), as they were suffering from the effects of allergies, stimulants (such as coffee and nicotine), sugar, and/or vitamins.

The case which gave rise to the term did not actually contain any defense meeting this description, but was widely misdescribed as doing so. Today, "Twinkie defense" is a derogatory label implying that a criminal defense is artificial or absurd.


I think you have to be insane to kill someone, I also think insanity does not cloud the fact that they are murderers. If you take someones life and deprive their family of their right to co-exist you know you've done it. If you observe the psychology of these people they somehow truly believe they have more of a right to exist than the next man. In my opinion this is good reason to show them how wrong they are and how much it must suck to know your life is in someone else's hands.

BTW... How many people out there live with Post Pardom Depression and don't murder their babies?!!! It's a real condition and doesn't need this stigma attached to it. Clearly a twinkie defense.

Answer 2

Because she was obviously crazy when she killed her children - I mean her reasoning didn't make any sense. Sadly, Post Partum Depression can end like this if it goes untreated, so I kind of feel like her husband should have seen that something wasn't right. But, the insanity verdict doesn't mean that she'll be able to get out of a psych ward even though it's all situational. People don't take children being killed lightly, so I'd be surprised if she gets released in the next 20 years.

Answer 3

There may have been mitigating circumstances, poor circumstancial evidence, or some other matter. Remember that depsite what you always hear and despite what self-aggrandizing pleasure one might get out of thinking it, people, in general, are not idiots.

I mean, if your not at the trial you don't know if they even convinced everyone that she murdered 5 children.

Of course i'm not well informed on this particular event but remember, there are circumstances, in the US, your innocent until proven guilty, for better or worse.

Answer 4

The majority of people with mental health illnesses do NOT look insane. I read an article this morning written on the crime scene net in her area. She had been treated for major depressive disorder numerous times between the births of her children. She has attempted suicide several times, even put a knife to her neck in front of her husband. Of course, this is NO excuse for killing 5 innocent children. She will most likely spend the rest of her life in a secured facility that will treat her for her illness.

Answer 5

She will probably end up spending the rest of her life in an institution anyway. At least she is getting some sort of help. FYI, for those of you who have Desperate Housewives Season 1 on DVD...Mark Cherry says that Yates was the inspiration for the series. I find this so interesting. She probably wants some sort of financial award.

Answer 6

There are many different definitions of insane for the purpose of criminal law.

If you don't know what you are doing, or you don't know right from wrong - truly don't know - you will probably be found criminally insane.

For example, if she truly was so crazy she thought she was doing laundry instead of drowning her kids, they might find her insane and put her away.

It is a very disturbing case. Either way, she is going to be off the streets for a LONG time.

Answer 7

I think it was a horrible tragedy, but everything happens for a reason. I have faith in God so I don't look for logic in tragedies. I just pray. I can't imagine what those children would have went through had that not happened to them. If she could do that, imagine what else she was/is capable of doing. You see my point? I can't let my mind go in that direction. It's nauseating and heart breaking. Pray when things aren't right. It's the only thing we can do to keep our sanity.

Answer 8

I don't know much about the trial. Did she undergo a psychoanalysis? Usually those people can determine whether or not someone is insane. Is she going to a facility? It's just awful...those poor children...:(

Answer 9

yeah i read that story about 30 mins. ago and it pissed me off too! i couldn't believe it! i mean she may not look crazy but anyone who can do that to their own kids is sick and crazy. i wish that people could just be charged for what they did, and not use the insanity plea. especially in this case. and if she's so crazy then how'd she get a husband and have all those kids and have a house? yeah, that b i t c h is goin to hell that's for sure! this story makes me sooooo mad! oh i hate our system sometimes!

Answer 10

I know. It's unbelieveable. Once when I was watching the news, a mass murderer killed 10 people and stole £15,000. The jury sentenced him to 7 years for stealing the £15,000, nothing for killing 10 people. They seem to value money more than life.