Newfound Religion: Mothers, God, and Infanticide

Authors

Susan Ayres, Texas A&M University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2006

Journal Title

Fordham Urban Law Journal

ISSN

0199-4646

Abstract

This essay focuses on cultural constructions of infanticide and psychosis, especially cases in which the mother heard delusional commands to kill her children. Part I examines the background of the Yates, Laney, and Diaz cases. Part II explores whether these mothers can be seen paradoxically as feminist subjects of empowerment rather than as victims. This essay argues that psychotic mothers have been disempowered and silenced, so their acts cannot be seen as subversive feminist gestures. Part III, however, arguest that the legal trials of Laney and Diaz demonstrate a possible subversion through trial strategy. These two trials more fully told the mother's story than did the Yates trial andmore fully educated juries about postpartum psychosis. These differences made it more difficult for the juries -- even Texas juries -- to mete out retributive punishment and much easier for the juries to react with compassion.

First Page

335

Last Page

356

Num Pages

22

Volume Number

33

Issue Number

2

Publisher

Fordham Law School

Recommended Citation

Susan Ayres, Newfound Religion: Mothers, God, and Infanticide, 33 Fordham Urb. L.J. 335 (2006).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/81

File Type

PDF