Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Texas Mother Accused of Drowning Five Children Goes to Court

Aired August 08, 2001 - 09:06   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We turn now to the case of the Texas mother who is accused of drowning her five children in a bathtub. Now, she goes to court this morning. Andrea Yates' arraignment hearing is set to begin in less than an hour from now.

And our Ed Lavandera is live at the Houston courthouse. He's got the very latest for us right now -- good morning, Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

As you mentioned, Andrea Yates is expected to show up here shortly in a downtown Houston courthouse and her family has not, as far as we can tell, hasn't arrived yet, as well. This is an arraignment hearing and we could expect to hear a plea from Andrea Yates.

Initially, in the last few weeks, we have been getting information or indications from Andrea Yates' attorneys that she could file a plea of innocent by reason of insanity. Her attorneys have also, though, filed a request for a hearing to, a competency hearing, which is to determine whether or not she's fit to stand trial.

In a letter to the court, her attorneys say that Andrea Yates has remained in a psychotic state since the murders of her five children and that she's unable to communicate effectively with her children and for that reason they are arguing that she isn't fit to stand trial.

We were able to speak briefly with her mother yesterday. Andrea Yates' mother tells us that Andrea Yates is doing better, but that the side effect of that is that Andrea Yates is starting to realize what has happened and that it might start to create a whole another round of issues for her.

Yates is, of course, accused of murdering her five children. She has been indicted on capital murder charges for the murders of Noah and John, the two oldest boys, and also another count of capital murder for the six-month-old girl, Mary.

Right now we're waiting for her to arrive here at the jail and we'll bring you more details as they become available -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, good deal, Ed Lavandera. We'll check back with you then.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com