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CNN Live At Daybreak

Russell Yates to Bury Children, Defends Mother Accused of Killing Them

Aired June 25, 2001 - 07:22   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: On Wednesday, the five Yates children of Houston, Texas, will be buried, and that will cap a week of intense emotions for their father, certainly. Russell Yates has had to mourn his children while praying for the mother accused of killing them.

CNN's Ed Lavandera brings us up to date on this case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Russell Yates left for work last Wednesday morning, he never imagined it would be the last time he hugged his five children. He never imagined coming home could be so painful. Then he got a cryptic phone call from his wife.

RUSSELL YATES, VICTIMS' FATHER: And then I said, What's wrong, Andrea?

And she said, You need to come home.

I said, Is anyone hurt?

She said yes.

I asked who.

She said the children -- all of them.

My heart just sunk.

LAVANDERA: When Yates pulled up to his home, police were already there. Andrea Yates had also called 911.

JOHN CANNON, HOUSTON POLICE SPOKESMAN: Responding patrol officer came to the door and the woman, who was still breathing rather heavily at that time, said I just killed my children.

LAVANDERA: In just a few hours, a family that lived a quiet life in a suburban Houston neighborhood would be the focus of news headlines around the world, and a 36-year-old mother would be charged with capital murder for allegedly drowning her five children: a six- month-old girl and four boys between the ages of two and seven. FERNANDO GUEL, NEIGHBOR OF YATES FAMILY: She was very different. She kept to herself. She was a person who didn't say anything, she just kept to herself, a very quiet person, very reserved.

LAVANDERA: Andrea Yates' husband says she's battling a case of postpartum depression psychosis. She had reportedly spent several months thinking of killing her children.

A day after the murders, Russell Yates stood before glaring cameras and probing questions. With his eyes swollen from the tears and lack of sleep, Mr. Yates professed devotion to his wife.

YATES: She obviously wasn't herself, and I think that will come out; everyone that knows her knows she loves the kids and that she's a kind, gentle person. And what you see here and what you saw yesterday is not her.

JOE OWMBY, PROSECUTOR: This is the most horrendous thing that I have ever seen.

LAVANDERA: Andrea Yates could face the death penalty if convicted, another frightening thought for Russell Yates, who says he's suffering two tragedies: the loss of his children and the loss of his wife.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We learn from our children...

LAVANDERA: About 150 people surrounded the Yates' home on Friday night: a candlelight vigil offering comforting prayers -- a welcome sight for a man who had just finished the first jailhouse visit with his wife, a meeting described as intensely personal and under the most extreme circumstances.

YATES: She's really suffering, and I just ask to say a prayer for her, because she's needs it. She's suffering right now.

LAVANDERA: The Yates' attorney says he expects prosecutors to push for the harshest punishment, but he is considering the insanity plea as a possible defense.

GEORGE PARNHAM, ANDREA YATES' ATTORNEY: The reality will probably dictate that a decision will be made to seek the death penalty. I certainly hope not, but I'm realistic about it. And we are there to defend her.

RANDY SCHAFFER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If the prosecutor senses that the community's attitude is this woman should be executed, they'll go after the death penalty whether the husband wants them to or not.

LAVANDERA: For Russell Yates, that's not something he can worry about right now. On Wednesday, his five children will be laid to rest -- one final moment to say goodbye.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Houston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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