'Bout right, I think, given her mental condition. Once she gets therapy and fully realizes what she's done, she'll kill herself. Give it a year, maybe two years.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2002

Answers

I can see that happening, yes. I can also see where she'll not be a very "popular" prisoner, and as such, is at risk within the prison system itself.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2002

The insanity defense has been so overused by defense lawyers that many people, including me, have a strong negative reaction to it. Nonetheless, there are a few cases where it seems appropriate, and this is one of them IMHO.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2002

If she had waited until her husband had unprotected sex with her again and offed him instead of the kids, the same defense would have been accepted.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002

Actually, I still think the husband should have been charged. He KNEW that she was totally unbalanced and still left her with the children. What ever was wrong with HIS head??

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002

Sounds to me like the husband and the families were a lot like mine re my first marriage. The only thing that stopped me from killing the sonofabitch I was married to is that the families were too far away to put as much pressure on me as Andrea's family and in-laws (constant "you have to stay for the shildren's sake," "it's your duty," "God will provide," etc.), so I was able to run away. But only because an authority figure, to-wit, an Air Force doctor, "gave me permission." That was bravery for an AF doc back in the late 60s in Texas.

I still regret I didn't kill the sonofabitch. I think if I met him today, I might. Or maybe I would just laugh at him. And then give him a mighty backhander, right across the chops, lol!

What reminded me of the sob is the anecdote about when the kids wanted something at the dinner table, Mr. Russell Yates said they would have to wait until their mother was able to go get it for them. He wouldn't get up and get it. Asshole.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002

Several years ago I quietly videotaped our family at dinner. This was when we had fewer children. During the entire meal, my husband read the newspaper, ate, and did not respond to anything going on around him. The kids spilled their drinks, whined about the veggies, asked for more dessert, needed potty breaks (mommy-attended, we were potty training) and generally kept me on my feet no less than 15 times in thirty minutes. His Majesty could have been dining alone in Siberia and wouldn't have been missed.

I played the tape back to all of them. It's hard to deny that type of proof. We've had several major discussions over the years about what his level of involvement should be, but after we had reached a large family size, the ultimatum that made a difference was this one:

Get out of my house, and take them with you. No judge will deny me visitation (I've been a good mother), and I want it only two weekends a month. Child support payments will be low, as I have stayed home instead of building a career. You will find it difficult to convince a landlord to rent to such a large family. Make sure you take ALL their stuff with them, so my house will be clean and clutter-free. Make sure they have their homework done every night, their bodies and clothes clean, their teeth brushed, and their nutritional needs met. Make sure you give your phone number to their teachers, babysitters, and any relatives you hornswaggle into taking them for you. My relatives are unlikely to help you, and as I recall, they were the only relatives who helped at all. Good luck finding a woman willing to marry you and assume so many step children -- and remember, she'll likely have her own brats to add to your family.

I have to say that I meant it at the time, and things are much better now. All you need is good communication and fangs.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002