News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 11, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- Jeannette Michelle Hawes was scheduled to go to trial next week, but now that's been postponed.

Hawes is accused of murdering her two toddlers at an Augusta convenience store last November.

Her defense attorneys say a psychological evaluation shows she did not know what she was doing because she has a mental illness.

The court document also argues Hawes is not competent to stand trial and she was insane at the time of the crime, something most say, they already knew.

"It's a day that don't go by I don't think about these children here. We all miss them, but we know they've gone home to the Lord." George Williams never knew Jordan or Shakayla Hawes, but he's reminded everyday of their loss, working as the groundskeeper where the two children are buried. "Every time I get down here, sadness goes all over me, I get down on my knees and I just pray and the tears, I can't hold them back."

It's been 8 months since Shakayla and Jordan Hawes were stabbed to death inside of the bathroom of a Texaco gas station. It's still closed, and evidence tape still covers the door along with a poem written by a stranger that says "May peace console our grief today knowing Jordan and Shakayla rest with God"

"As I'm talking with you, I'm crying and my cry will be with me until I die because of these innocent children. It's very sad. " Taiwo Ola says, fighting back tears. He did know Jordan and Shakayla, he also knew their mother Michelle.

Owa owns the Texaco station where the murders happened. Until now, he hasn't spoken publicly about it. "I still can't believe she did it. I think she's sick. I think she needs help."

So do her defense attorneys, who plan to enter a plea of insanity.

In recently filed court documents, the argument is that Michelle didn't know what she was doing when she murdered her children.

"I feel like something must have happened. It had to be." Jail time or not, George believes Michelle is already serving the ultimate punishment. "I do believe that's really going to be a burden on her for the rest of her days because she's going to have to live with that."

For him, he gives what he can, a promise to their final resting place. "I'm going to try to do my best. I'm going to make sure they are taken care of."

Even with the new document, the case may still go to trial or the District Attorney's Office may agree to a plea deal.

All this means is once this is over, she probably won't have to go to jail.
Instead, her time could be served in a mental institution.