The ex-husband of a woman sentenced to life in prison for drowning their five children said he is ready to move on with his life and might like to start another family.
Russell Yates told The Dallas Morning News in Thursday’s editions that he still cares for ex-wife Andrea Yates. But he finalized his divorce last month, three years after she was sentenced.
“We still care about each other... (but) I couldn’t live that way,” said Yates, 40.
Andrea Yates, 40, claimed she was insane at the time she drowned the couple’s children. She was sentenced to life in prison for three of the deaths, but the convictions were overturned in January by an appeals court panel. Prosecutors have asked the full court to reconsider.
Russell Yates said he’s dating, though he declined to give details. He said he might eventually remarry and have more children.
“I have the freedom now,” he said. “I’d like to do that someday and possibly have a family again... But I’m not 20. I’m 40. So I have to reassess where I’m at, what I have to offer.”