HOUSTON — In his first television interview since being retained by Houston mother Lihui Liu, attorney George Parnham speaks on her mental state.
Liu has been charged with capital murder for allegedly drowning her 5-year-old son in their home off Holly Lynn Lane on Nov. 30.
One interview with Houston Police is all we know of Liu making any statements following the death of her son.
Since then, she has said little to nothing. Not in court, not even to her attorney.
“There’s no communication to talk about,” said Parnham.
A language barrier may have something to do with her ability to speak freely about what happened, but Parnham believes it’s part of complex mental health issue.
Parnham described his client as catatonic - a psychotic-like state that often leaves a person unresponsive.
Not unlike the case of Andrea Yates, who Parnham also defended.
“Her inability to communicate is a foundation for her mental illness,” said Parnham.
In either case, similarities between the two mothers are easy to find. Both were in Houston and both were charged with drowning their children, but in Liu’s case, her child was found dismembered.
According to Houston Police, Liu was heard admitting to the drowning during an interview. She would not however admit to decapitating her child.
“Without even communicating with your client, just the nature of what occurred, speaks volumes about the person’s mental state,” said Parnham.
Postpartum depression was Yates' defense and it turned a life prison sentence, to not guilty by reason of insanity.
Parnham won’t say it’s out of the question for Liu, but if it's up to him, Liu won’t see trial.
“The first thing you do is look at the nature of the action,” said Parnham.
Then it becomes Parnham’s job to hear from family, friends, neighbors and develop a profile on Liu’s state of mind.
A judge decides the rest. In the meantime, Parnham says Liu is taking medication and undergoing psychological evaluation.
Parnham expects a decision from a judge in the coming weeks before the end of the year, although Liu has a court date scheduled for the Jan. 23.