08-08-2015, 07:11 PM
For me, it depends on the case.
I too believe that Andrea Yates was severely mentally ill (due to postpartum psychosis and depression) when she drowned her children in the tub. She'd been in treatment previously and had reached out for help again and been denied it, instead turning to religious counseling. I think she was telling the truth and thought that God was advising her that she was a terrible mother and that her children would be better off and in a better place with Him. She never denied what she did and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. I believe she knew what she was doing, but did not know that it was wrong at the time. I think she belongs in the sanitarium where she resides and seeking the death penalty was not appropriate in her case.
James Holmes, on the other hand, is a different story for me. I believe he is mentally ill. But, I believe he both knew what he was doing, and he knew that it was wrong. He stockpiled weapons and planned for months. He wore ear plugs to drown out the anticipated screaming when he wounded 70 strangers and killed 12 others in a confined public space and then fled the scene. Seeking the death penalty for him was appropriate, in my opinion.
I too believe that Andrea Yates was severely mentally ill (due to postpartum psychosis and depression) when she drowned her children in the tub. She'd been in treatment previously and had reached out for help again and been denied it, instead turning to religious counseling. I think she was telling the truth and thought that God was advising her that she was a terrible mother and that her children would be better off and in a better place with Him. She never denied what she did and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. I believe she knew what she was doing, but did not know that it was wrong at the time. I think she belongs in the sanitarium where she resides and seeking the death penalty was not appropriate in her case.
James Holmes, on the other hand, is a different story for me. I believe he is mentally ill. But, I believe he both knew what he was doing, and he knew that it was wrong. He stockpiled weapons and planned for months. He wore ear plugs to drown out the anticipated screaming when he wounded 70 strangers and killed 12 others in a confined public space and then fled the scene. Seeking the death penalty for him was appropriate, in my opinion.