Yates' Family Pleads For Her Life

HOUSTON -- Relatives of Andrea Yates were in tears Thursday in a Houston courtroom, as they appealed to a jury to sentence her to life in prison instead of death.

Her husband, Russell Yates, choked back sobs as he said, "She's the kindest and most caring person I know."

And his mother described Andrea Yates as "a beautiful person inside."

She said, "The children loved her, we all love her."

Jurors will decide between life in prison and death by lethal injection for Yates, who drowned her five children in the bathtub last year. They convicted her on capital murder charges this week, after rejecting defense claims that she was insane.

The penalty phase continues Friday. The judge let the jury out early Thursday so lawyers could work out details on the punishment charge to be given to jurors Friday.

Under Texas law, a death sentence requires the jury to unanimously decide that Yates poses a future danger to society. They must also decide there are no mitigating circumstances.

Earlier Thursday, prosecutors said they won't present any more evidence to the jury.

Prosecutor Joe Owmby Thursday told jurors and State District Judge Belinda Hill that all of the evidence was admitted during the case.

Defense attorneys asked that Hill sentence Yates to life -- since prosecutors weren't going to present any additional evidence.

The judge denied the request.

"We did what we needed to do," Prosecutor Joe Owmby said. "We'll settle for whatever the jury finds just and great, and that's what we'll settle for."