2 • BENNETT BANNER *MARCH 1, 2002
• OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINiON
La Shaima K. Campbell
Yates needs help, not prison
By all accounts Andrea Yates’ children should've been safe
in her care. Yet all five children ranging firom six months to seven
years old where allegedly murdered in June 2001 by her hands.
Many Americans, parents or otherwise
view her crime as unforgivable and almost
inconceiveable, and believe there should
be no mercy shown by the
courts. Yates has a valid defense for
pleading insanity. Severe postpartum
depression psychosis diagnosis is a valid
defense. Anything otho' than an insanity
plea would be an injustice.
Yates definetly slq)ped through the
cracks. Yates is a woman who has had
two attempts at suicide. Acceding to the News and Reccwd on one
occasion she
"scratched” at her throat with a steak knife, and on another over
dosed on pills.
Afta these attempts Yates "chastised" herself fw failing to die.
Since the birth of her two year old Yates has been on prescription
medication to help with hw diagnosis. Wedcs befwe her children
were murdered her (vescription was changed by hw docuws. Yates
docttHS r^rted th^ she was almost "mute" at the time her children
were murdered. If we were to view Yates' folder we would have
reservations about her ability to care for hoself, let alone five
children. Yates'mental condition should've been taken more soi-
ously by ho' doctors and social welfare.
The courts should not treat Yates' diagnosis any less serious
than other mental illnesses. Some criminals view the insanity plea as
an easy way out, and their claims can be disputed, but not in this
case. What would the court system gain by throwing Yates
into prison?
The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does not
STUDENT OPINION POLL:
Do you think post partum depression is a valid
defense in the Andrea Yates case ?
Photos by Takesha Brigglns, Banner Photographer and Reporter
SANDRA WILLIAMS
First-year student
Psychology
Bridgqwrt, Conn.
No because she’s using
the depression as an
excuse. She committed
the crime and need to
face her consequences.
THE BENNETT BANNER
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Ayodele Murphy
Brandi Wright
Edhorial Pape Editor
LaShainna K. Campbell
Onttne Edhor
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YAASMYIN CUTTINO
First-year student
Undecided
Newark, N J.
No. Black mothers deal
with kids, jobs, and
stress everyday and they
are not killing their
kids.
ASHLEY COBB
First-year student
Elementary Education
Yanceyville, NC
No. Mothers get
depressed everyday, and
they deal with it.
SYREETAWICKLIFF
Sophomore
Psychology
Seattle, Wash.
It could be the reason
why she killed her
children, depression
c^ects people in
d^erent ways.
ROBIN HENDRIX
Sophomore
Computer Science
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Depression is never an
excuse for premeditated
murder. If she was
hospitalized more than
once then she should
have been placed in a
mental institution.
LEILANIYIZAR
Sophomore
Fashion Merchandising
Mamaroneck, NY
Yes. People get so
depressed that they
can’t control their
emotions.
MELANIE FIELDS
Senior
English
Cincinnati, Ohio
Yates needs to undergo
psychiatric counseling,
however, she must be
punished for killing her
children.
FAITH CHILONGO
Sophcmore
Psychology
Raleigh
No because people
always use mental
illnesses as an excuse.
LAUREN FOSTER
First-year student
Biology
Cincinnati, Ohio
I don't believe what
she did was right, but
depression is a valid
defense.