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CNN Live Saturday

Psychiatrist Presented Moving Testimony in Yates Trial

Aired March 09, 2002 - 12:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The case against a Texas mother on trial for drowning her children could go to the jury next week. Andrea Yates' husband arrived in the courthouse in Houston earlier this morning, as testimony continues today in her murder trial. Yesterday a psychiatrist testified about his videotaped interview with Yates, where she described how she drowned the children.

CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREA YATES: And Paul's three. He's been a real sweet good boy. Oops, bless you, bless you!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Paul was the first of the Yates' children to be drowned. As he was summoned into the bathroom by his mother, the 3-year-old son said to her, "Mommy, are we going to take a bath today?"

On a videotape interview shown in court, that's how Andrea Yates remembered the moment. The interview, done by a forensic psychiatrist hired by the prosecution, choked up jurors and Andrea Yates herself.

(on camera): Is it still your position that Andrea Yates did not know what she did was wrong?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, absolutely.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): But the prosecution's psychiatrist has a different opinion. Dr. Park Dietz testified: "With reasonable medical certainty, Mrs. Yates knew the drownings were illegal and knew it was wrong in the eyes of society and God." Under Texas law, Andrea Yates can only be found legally insane if the jury believes she did not know right from wrong.

Psychiatrists hired by the defense have testified that Yates, who said she was trying to save her children from an eternity in hell, was psychotic and wasn't capable of knowing what she did was wrong. Dr. Dietz does not disagree with the psychotic diagnosis, but told jurors this was a cold, calculated plan and that she made no effort to comfort the very children she claimed she wanted to save as she put them in the water.

Defense lawyers admit they're concerned the sadness of jurors could affect their decision-making.

GEORGE PARNHAM, YATES DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think they're hopefully anesthetized enough to these horrible facts (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to be able to keep their eye on the prize.

TUCHMAN: But their eyes were kept on the court video screen for much of the day, with Andrea Yates testifying that 6-month-old Mary was the only child who didn't struggle because she wasn't strong enough.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YATES: What kind of things do you like to do, Noah?

NOAH YATES: Oh, I love -- I love going to Radio Shack and I love playing with my electrical stuff and...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: And that her oldest child, seven-year-old Noah, said something about being sorry as she forced him into the bathtub too.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: That report from CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman.

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