Texas State Activities

Texas

"The reality is that advocates must challenge criminal laws ill equipped to deliver justice for people like Andrea Yates who commit crimes while ravaged by a severe mental illness."
From "Betting on the right horse to save lives: The case of Andrea Yates," United Press International (UPI), March 15, 2002

Recent news

BLOG Andrea Yates found not guilty by reason of insanity in retrial.

NEWS Betting on the right horse to save lives: The case of Andrea Yates - Mental health advocates rallied to save Andrea Yates' life, just as they do every time someone with severe mental illness could be sentenced to death for a heinous crime. This is the mental health community's equivalent of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. It is too little too late for the thousands of individuals who each year become violent because of untreated mental illnesses.
United Press International (UPI), March 15, 2002

PREVENTABLE TRAGEDIES The Preventable Tragedies database includes summaries of news articles of which an individual with a neurobiological brain disorder (usually untreated) is involved in a violent episode, either as a victim or perpetrator. Search for Texas episodes by choosing TX in the drop down box.

History

RESOURCE Information on mental health commitments in Texas
Texas State Bar Association

RESOURCES Andrea Yates drowned her five children - ages six months to seven years - in the bathtub on June 20, 2001. On March 12, 2002, a jury found her guilty of capital murder; on March 15, 2002, she was sentenced to life in prison. More on the Yates tragedy:

Treatment Advocacy Center statement on sentencing (March 15, 2002)
Betting on the right horse to save lives, opinion piece distributed by UPI (March 15, 2002)
Washington Post columnist on the verdict and TAC's letter to the editor in response
Fact sheet on criminalization of those with severe mental illnesses.

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Treatment Advocacy Center

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