Posted on 07/27/2006 4:43:44 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
July 27, 2006 - 07:36
The Andrea Yates jury spent 36 days listening to testimony and argument, trying to get inside the mind of a woman who had drowned her five children. But with just one sentence, ABC's Chris Cuomo gave us a stunning look inside the mind of a certified MSMer: sympathy first, last and always for the accused.
Commenting on the not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict, Cuomo had this to say:
"Ironically, treatment might be the harshest punishment for Yates, because she has said the healthier she becomes, the more pain and regret she's able to feel."
So let us get this straight, Chris. Yates had already been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. She could of course simply have accepted her fate. Instead, her lawyers undertook a strenuous appeal in which they ultimately succeeded in obtaining a new trial. They went through the massive undertaking of the trial itself, obtaining a sentence pursuant to which Yates will be sent to a mental hospital . . . with the possibility of walking free as soon as it is determined she is no longer a threat to society.
But somehow, that sentence is harsher than life in prison? I suppose we should look for Andrea to immediately commence a malpractice suit against her lawyers for inflicting this 'harshest punishment' on her. Or could it be that Yates isn't the only one who needs counseling?
GMA/NewsBusters engine-starter ping to Today show list.
All I know is this. If I lost it like she did, I would be PRAYING for someone to kill me.
She seems to show no regret, but I could not live with myself.
Yeah, that'll get her!
Am I the only one who disagrees with verdicts of "Not guilty by Reason of Insanity"?
Not guilty?
For the love of God!! The five kids are dead. She killed them.
Not Guilty? I don't think so.
How about a verdict of "Guilty, but insane"?
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
"with the possibility of walking free as soon as it is determined she is no longer a threat to society."
Protecting society is not the only reason people are sent to prison. It is also to pay for the crime they committed. To discourage others from doing the same thing.
"Society? She's a victim of males, marriage, Christianity, and Texas life. Who wouldn't kill her five children?" /said at a NY cocktail party after sipping a cosmopolitan
This just goes to show: If you give a lib long enough, they can talk themselves into believing anything.
I'm with you brother
It's Bush's fault; the lunatic did not want her children to grow up during this administration
Lots of people blame her husband, since he's a man! And they're on FR too.
No, you're not. "Not guilty by Reason of Insanity" is nothing more than a legal cop-out.
If someone takes the life of another under any circumstances other than self defense or an accident, they should be prosecuted for murder.....period.
The mental state of the murderer is of no consequence. Even if they 'didn't know what they were doing', they STILL took a life and the law is STILL obligated to punish for the loss of life and to protect society.
Glenn Beck said basically the same thing last night.
I think going back and having to live with Rusty Yates would be the worst punishment.
My take on this is that the jury is either mentally incompetent or insane themselves.
The only thing I see to justify this is if the head-shrinkers decided to lobotomise her.
In Georgia several years ago, we changed the law from this result to "Guilty but Insane." They still go to jail for the appropriate time, but get treatment there.
Time for Texas to adopt the same style law.
"How about a verdict of "Guilty, but insane"?"
I agree, PurpleMan.
Wolfcreek said: "I believe this woman should have been made an example of what happens when you murder innocent children. Unfortunately, this was not the case. After seeing her ex-husband's pathetic rant on the news, I can't help but wish him the worst."
What concerns me the most is that in too many cases in our society - whether it be homosexual marriage or what have you - the needs of adults are coming ahead of the needs of innocent children.
This verdict sends all the wrong messages.
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