who commits premeditated murder must be insane. The question is whether the person is so mentally ill or retarded that he/she didn't know right from wrong. Just as we wouldn't hold a 4 year old who picks up a loaded gun and kills a playmate responsible, we shouldn't hold a mentally retarded person with the mind of a 4 year old responsible. On the different subject of mental illness, there are some people who literally don't know what they're doing. They're no more responsible for their actions than a cancer patient is responsible for his disease.

Some states have changed the law from "not guilty by reason of insanity" to "guilty but insane." From what I've read, I think this is a better approach. I do believe that Yates was suffering from mental illness when she killed her children. For that reason, she should not be executed. However, I don't believe she should be allowed on the streets again, either. From what I heard of the testimony, she knew that killing those children was wrong. I suspect she'll be given a life sentence and put into a mental institution.