Austin

So they immediately began building an insanity defense.

Rusty also agreed and testified in court, explaining that Andrea would not have harmed their children the way she did unless she had been psychotic.

He believes she shouldn't spend the rest of her life in prison for actions committed while severely mentally ill.

Psychiatrists testified that Andrea suffered from schizophrenia and postpartum depression, but disagreed over the severity of her illnesses and whether she knew if her actions were wrong.

During the trial, both the defense and the prosecution claimed that she was under Michael Waranecki's influence.

Dr. Park Dietz, a forensic psychiatrist who testified for the prosecution, also claimed that the pressure to follow his teachings was a factor in Andrea's suicide attempts.

The defense argued that Andrea was suffering from a severe psychotic episode at the time of the murders, but the prosecution argued that no loving mother would chase down her children and hold them down as she drowned each one.

In the end, after a very long, month-long trial, the jury found Andrea Yates guilty of capital murder, but they agreed that she would not be given the death penalty.

Instead, she would be sentenced to life in prison, which was 40 years minimum before being eligible for parole.

Michael Waranecki was able to walk away from the trial with only a little bad press, but he was mostly unscathed and he continued to preach his preachings.

After the conviction, Rusty told CNN's Larry King Live, She's a victim.

She's not a criminal.

She needs treatment.

She doesn't need punishment.

Her heart was good and her mind was bad.

To me, as outrageous as it sounds, I don't think she needs forgiveness.

She needs compassion.

Rusty remained married to Andrea through the trial and continued to visit her every Tuesday and Friday.

As for the jury, Rusty said their mentality was that, quote, someone got hurt, so someone's got to pay.

I don't think the jury was ever able to get past the fact that she drowned the children.