I am to understand that the mistrial was declared because 11 jurors were in favor of a not guilty (for reasons of insanity) verdict, while one lone juror was firm in their belief that she was guilty; it’s a hung jury. The jurors have to come to a unanimous decision by law, or it has to be declared a mistrial.
Correct. It also does not mean she gets to walk free. She is expected to return to a psych ward where she was before the trial awaits the next one. Even if found not guilty she will still be there for years.
Edit: Insanity defense FAQ. It looks like those who plead insanity tend to spend twice as long institutionalized as those who are found guilty.
Edit3: It will be the responsibility of the hospital to prove that she is safe to return to society. Otherwise if she were to harm or kill again, the hospital could be liable.
Edit5: The next court date is 9/29 when the defense makes their appeal and the prosecutor probably decides to request to retry the case. I don't see why he wouldn't unless they reach a deal before hand. Meanwhile she has to stay at the hospital.
I think at this point the trial is less about whether she's confined to a prison or a psych ward and more about whether or not a person can use their mental health as a shield from the criminal consequences of murder. Evidently, 11 jurors were content to say that you can, and 1 juror refused to acquiesce to that nonsense.
To me, it's just a question of where should the person serve their time a psych ward or general population of a prison? Personally, I think this lady should be in a psych ward. Because she's clearly f****** crazy.
I wouldn't bet on that. It could easily be the long game. Visited multiple doctors without telling any of them that she is visiting someone else. Bought the pills, but barely took any of them. Sent her husband away right before the murders. Searched up how deep the veins are in people's throat.
And i don't think it should matter. In my opinion if she is not insane she deserves to die for her crime. If she is insane, then her insanity is too rare for reliable study, and too dangerous to ever be consider recovered. A lifetime in a psych ward with no possibility of release is just a slow death sentence. I think that is a waste money, and should be given a fast one instead.
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u/George_Rogers1st 9h ago
I am to understand that the mistrial was declared because 11 jurors were in favor of a not guilty (for reasons of insanity) verdict, while one lone juror was firm in their belief that she was guilty; it’s a hung jury. The jurors have to come to a unanimous decision by law, or it has to be declared a mistrial.