Yates, Jurors Weep at Video of Crime Scene
Andrea Yates and at least five jurors wept as the prosecution in her second murder trial showed a crime-scene videotape taken June 20, 2001, the day that her five children were drowned in the family bathtub.
The video showed Yates' seven-year-old son floating face down in the bathtub and the other four children lying dead on a bed. Yates looked down with the scene was shown and began to cry, according to news reports. Several jurors wiped tears from their eyes.
Yates second trial began Monday with opening statements in which her attorney told the jury that she was not merely depressed the day she killed her children, she was psychotic.
Also Monday, the first police officer to arrive at the scene, David Knapp, told the jury that when he asked Yates why she called 911, she said: "I just killed my kids."
Several officers testified that Yates "seemed normal" to them, but under cross-examination, some said Yates' reaction was unlike that of other mothers who just lost their children.
Later Tuesday, a former cellmate of Yates testified that she said she had to chase down her oldest son and subdue him before she could drown him in the bathtub.
See Also:
Yates Sobs After Seeing Dead Son's Body in Video
Ex-Cellmate Relates Story Yates Told Her
Background:
The Trial of Andrea Yates
Profile of Andrea Yates
Comments
I’m sorry. But this woman and her husband should both be put to death. There was a problem, they both knew it, but decided to continue having children. She’s found not guilty because of insanity, or Post Partum Depression, bull. What about those innocent, beautiful children that no longer have a life becuse of both of their parents. Do I think she’s the only one responsible, obviously not. He is just as, if not more guilty, than she is. Why was he never tried???? He knew what could happen. He should be tried for the murders also. Oh yeah. He would probably be found innocent by reason of insanity also. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mental illness is not a joke, and if Andrea’s husband and family would have taken it seriously, the children would still be alive.
her family knew she was sick they should have put some one to take care of her since she had tried to kil her self what made them think she wouldnt do that to her children (stupid)