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CNN Live At Daybreak

Funeral Service for Yates Children Set for This Morning

Aired June 27, 2001 - 08:01   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: First, to Houston: Funeral services begin in just a few hours for five children allegedly killed by their own mother. Six-month-old Mary Yates will be buried with her four brothers, Luke, Paul, John and Noah.

CNN's Ed Lavandera is in Houston, where their father plans to eulogize them.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, in about 3 1/2 hours, memorial services for the Yates children will begin at 10:30 a.m. Central time.

Right now, if you look behind me, there is some preparations going on to hear from Minister Byron Fike, who is the minister here at Clear Lake Church of Christ, just a few blocks away from where the Yates children lived.

Last night, visitation was held at this church. About 100 family and friends came out to support Russell Yates and his family -- a lot of crying, a lot of prayers. The caskets were opened, five caskets, inside the church for the viewing last night -- as you might imagine, a very emotional time -- as you mentioned, Carol, a little while ago, that the minister will be here on CNN in about 15 minutes speaking about what will happen this morning. He is also preparing to hold the news conference right behind us.

And there were some indications that Russell Yates might be considering also making a statement this morning. But he will not be doing that -- the church officials passing that word along to us. There was a gag order instituted -- put in place yesterday. And he will not be making any statements this morning -- Carol.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, Ed Lavandera, standing by for that ceremony.

And we just want to mention to you that the family pastor, though he is giving a news conference later to the rest of the media, he will be joining us in about 10 minutes to talk live one-on-one.

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