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American Morning

Jurors Must Now Decide Whether Yates Deserves to Die For Her Crimes

Aired March 14, 2002 - 07:14   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to the punishment phase of the Andrea Yates trial, scheduled to begin later this morning. Jurors, who took less than four hours to decide that the Texas mother was guilty of capital murder, now must decide whether she deserves to die for her crimes.

In Houston, Ed Lavandera has been following this trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, find the defendant, Andrea Pia Yates, guilty of capital murder, as charged in the indictment.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One thing is certain, Andrea Yates is going to prison. But the ultimate question about her life remains unanswered. Defense attorneys hope the jury that convicted Yates in less than four hours will listen to their pleas for mercy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll try to build credibility back with the jury and start over again.

LAVANDERA: In the trial's punishment phase, the jury decides if Andrea Yates will spend the rest of her life in prison or face execution. Russell Yates and other family members will testify again. Attorneys say it's a wrenching experience, families often feeling the weight of every word they say to the jury.

JOE ROACH, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If I had said one more thing would I have saved her from the needle? It's an impossible position for a family to be put in.

LAVANDERA: The jury's quick deliberation Tuesday caught most people involved in the case off guard. It's ignited a flurry of speculation among trial observers.

SUZY SPENCER, AUTHOR, "BREAKING POINT": When I saw the jurors polled and their tones of voices were so cold, angry, lacking of any compassion or no remorse on their parts, no choking, no quivering, and it made me think that they may go for the death penalty.

ROACH: There will be shock, probably, if the death penalty is assessed. I think most people are expecting life in prison. LAVANDERA (on camera): There are currently seven women on Texas death row. Two of them were convicted for murdering their own children. And even though Houston has a reputation of aggressively sending criminals to death row, most legal experts will tell you it's rare for a woman to receive the death penalty. But still, those odds aren't enough to comfort Andrea Yates' family right now.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Houston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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