Justice delayed, but not necessarily denied

Today, a Texas appeals court overturned the murder conviction of Andrea Yates. This was based on incorrect testimony by Dr. Park Dietz. The jury was told that Andrea had recently viewed an episode of Law and Order, in which a woman was found not guilty by reason of insanity after she drowned her children. This was offered as proof of premeditation.

Except that the episode did not exist.

The jury didn't know that.

Suzanne O'Malley offered an excellent account of this tragic episode in her book, Are you there alone? After reading this book, it is abundantly clear that the entire Yates family was brutally betrayed by an incompetent mental health system.

I had a mercifully brief dance with postpartum depression after William was born. I've looked in the eyes of the same monster which claimed Andrea's sanity.

I hope that, as a result of today's ruling, Andrea Yates will finally receive the mental health care that she requires.

May Noah, John, Paul, Luke, and Mary Yates rest in peace.