The case of Andrea Yates raises several ethical concerns. One of the primary concerns is the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Despite abundant evidence of Yates’s severe mental illness, including psychosis and delusional hopelessness, she was initially found guilty rather than not guilty by reason of insanity. This raises questions about the adequacy of the insanity defense, particularly in jurisdictions like Texas that have stringent standards. It also highlights the need for better understanding and recognition of mental health issues within the legal system.
Another ethical concern pertains to the role of the healthcare system in Yates’s case. Yates had a history of mental illness and had been prescribed anti-psychotic
