Is This Justice?
Posted by: Denelle
Once again I am left to marvel at the process of our judicial system. A Texas jury has just overturned the conviction of Andrea Yates (convicted of drowning her five children in the bathtub) finding her not guilty by reason of insanity and sentencing her to treatment in a mental institution. Perhaps I could believe that it was temporary insanity if she'd drown one child but she methodically drown FIVE children, in a way that was planned and carefully carried out.
And now a jury has decided that this woman will be sent to a mental hospital where she will be treated and periodically reviewed for the possibility of release. Is that what our society has come to? Kill your five children and we'll slap you on the wrist and let you go?
I believe firmly that PPD (post partum depression) is an illness and that it affects many women. That it shouldn't be brushed aside or those who suffer from it made to feel like they are less than normal or bad mothers (thank you very much Tom Cruise). However, I also believe that somewhere along the line you have to take responsibility for your actions and stop searching for excuses. Something as deliberate crosses the line from illness into the category of murder. Obsessive, pre-meditated, carefully planned murder. And even in America someone shouldn't be allowed to get away with murder.
Once again I am left to marvel at the process of our judicial system. A Texas jury has just overturned the conviction of Andrea Yates (convicted of drowning her five children in the bathtub) finding her not guilty by reason of insanity and sentencing her to treatment in a mental institution. Perhaps I could believe that it was temporary insanity if she'd drown one child but she methodically drown FIVE children, in a way that was planned and carefully carried out.
Andrea filled the tub with water and beginning with Paul, she systematically drowned the three youngest boys, then placed them on her bed and covered them.
Mary was left floating in the tub. The last child alive was the first born, seven-year-old Noah. He asked his mother what was wrong with Mary, then turned and ran away. Andrea caught up with him and as he screamed, she dragged him and forced him into the tub next to Mary's floating body. He fought desperately, coming up for air twice, but Andrea held him down until he was dead. Leaving Noah in the tub, she brought Mary to the bed and laid her in the arms of her brothers.
And now a jury has decided that this woman will be sent to a mental hospital where she will be treated and periodically reviewed for the possibility of release. Is that what our society has come to? Kill your five children and we'll slap you on the wrist and let you go?
I believe firmly that PPD (post partum depression) is an illness and that it affects many women. That it shouldn't be brushed aside or those who suffer from it made to feel like they are less than normal or bad mothers (thank you very much Tom Cruise). However, I also believe that somewhere along the line you have to take responsibility for your actions and stop searching for excuses. Something as deliberate crosses the line from illness into the category of murder. Obsessive, pre-meditated, carefully planned murder. And even in America someone shouldn't be allowed to get away with murder.
