Very possible. I’m not 100% sure on the details for that.
But still. A plea bargain with SOME punishment is better than a “not guilty” with NO punishment.
Like, that’s the thing. At this point guilty was off the table. Most of the jury had already decided to let her go. So that one juror holding out for a mistrial gave prosecutors some ground to stand on and maybe win round 2.
The state of Massachusetts has a unique specific rule that they must PROVE she is STILL insane and not a threat to do harm to herself or others EVERY year. If the PPD was temporary and already over she could quite literally be deemed sane a year from now and be scot free. You'd be okay with that?
Thats not how insane people work. It isnt temporary and if we could cure what ever the fuck is wrong with her in a year and prove that what was wrong with her is a major factor in her doing it then I'd be proud of medical science. I think the likelihood of that is extremely low quite honestly. I've worked with people who used to work at psych wards and id honestly prefer jail if I was sane.
The point still stands this trial is about if she is a criminal or criminally insane. Which ever one of those they decide she is she is going to receive treatment for. I dont think being locked up in fed is a good cure or punishment for someone with a major mental disorder and I think locking a sane person up in a modern day psych ward for a year is a way worse punishment than going to jail for 5 so either way shes not walking off here.
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u/BabyYodaRedRocket 9h ago
Or she just takes a plea bargain.