Andrea Yates found Innocent by reason of Insanity

thomez · 07-26-2006, 02:11 PM

going to a mental institution for the rest of her life, most likely.

still could be tried for 2 more murders if they want to give it another go though...

Donkey® · 07-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Eh....locked up is locked up.

thomez · 07-26-2006, 02:23 PM

I'm not familiar with how this works but what has she been convicted of that puts her under state control?

I mean we all know she did it but how does the "insane murderer but not guilty" ruling work?

IminWonderland · 07-26-2006, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by thomez

I'm not familiar with how this works but what has she been convicted of that puts her under state control?

I mean we all know she did it but how does the "insane murderer but not guilty" ruling work?

I think what the ruling means, is that because she was found to be mentally ill at the time of her crimes, she is "not guilty" in the sense that she'll get the punishment that the Prosocuters wanted. I think they wanted her to be up for the death penalty.

motivez · 07-26-2006, 02:48 PM

It means she'll be remanded to a state psychiatric facility where she will undergo treatment. She's not being punished for her crimes, she's being protected from herself and protecting others from her insanity.

There is a chance she could get out at some point, I believe.

thomez · 07-26-2006, 02:50 PM

yes I understand that aspect but generally when it is announced you are "not guilty"... you are not under state control... I'm just not familiar with the process

6SpeedTA95 · 07-26-2006, 03:27 PM

It should be guilty by reason of insanity...not guilty means she doesn't go to jail, she's ok and didn't commit the crimse

motivez · 07-26-2006, 03:30 PM

Well, the whole point of the insanity defense is to show that they aren't responsible for the crimes due to being insane at the time the actions were taken.

6SpeedTA95 · 07-26-2006, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Well, the whole point of the insanity defense is to show that they aren't responsible for the crimes due to being insane at the time the actions were taken.

I know, so isn't it "guilty by reason of insanity"? to say they did commit the crime but were not in their normal state of mind?

thewise1 · 07-26-2006, 03:33 PM

One day, when I snap and kill 50% of OT members, I'm going to use this defense

motivez · 07-26-2006, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I know, so isn't it "guilty by reason of insanity"? to say they did commit the crime but were not in their normal state of mind?

No, because when you're insane you don't know you're doing anything wrong. That's the whole point.

Are you asking if "shouldn't it be?"

It might be better to have a "Guilty, but insane" but that's not generally how it works.

motivez · 07-26-2006, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by thewise1

One day, when I snap and kill 50% of OT members, I'm going to use this defense

You have to be pretty batshit insane to actually have this defense work nowadays.. too many people try to use and abuse it and claim they were temporarily insane or some other bullshit so they can avoid punishment.

thewise1 · 07-26-2006, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

You have to be pretty batshit insane to actually have this defense work nowadays.. too many people try to use and abuse it and claim they were temporarily insane or some other bullshit so they can avoid punishment.

I'll just switch between a pirate personality and a ninja personality, and claim that my ninja personality snapped

6SpeedTA95 · 07-26-2006, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

No, because when you're insane you don't know you're doing anything wrong. That's the whole point.

Are you asking if "shouldn't it be?"

It might be better to have a "Guilty, but insane" but that's not generally how it works.

Ok, I guess I had it backwards in my head thanks for clearing it up

Scrum · 07-26-2006, 03:56 PM

I hate this defense.

Of course she's insane. You would have to be insane to murder your children.
But you should still either:

A: Be put to death

or

B: Sit your ass in prison for life

imind · 07-26-2006, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

But you should still either:

A: Be put to death

or

B: Sit your ass in prison for life

why?

Kytro · 07-26-2006, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

Of course she's insane. You would have to be insane to murder your children.

No, you wouldn't.

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

But you should still either:

A: Be put to death

or

B: Sit your ass in prison for life

Because she was obviously capable of knowing what she did was wrong.....

Scrum · 07-26-2006, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Kytro

No, you wouldn't.

You wouldn't have to be insane to murder your 5 kids?

Originally Posted by Kytro

Because she was obviously capable of knowing what she did was wrong.....

Then she isn't capable of living in society and she won't be aware that she is being put to death.

Scrum · 07-26-2006, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by imind

why?

Because you murdered your children.

Kytro · 07-26-2006, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

You wouldn't have to be insane to murder your 5 kids?

Then she isn't capable of living in society and she won't be aware that she is being put to death.

No. You might just be greedy, or vengeful.

What exactly would be the point of putting her to death?

In any case, she may be treatable.