10 years probation for killing husband

[MothBalls]

Texas has a long reputation for strict criminal penalties. My jaw dropped when I read this.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/12/23/10-years-probation-for-killing-husband/UPI-37201261549268/
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A Texas jury that convicted a woman of first-degree murder for killing her husband three years ago has sentenced her 10 years probation.
I hate to say this, but if this was a man who killed his wife, he'd be on death row.Defense attorney Mark Daniel put friends and relatives on the stand who testified Jennifer Brinkman was integral to the lives of her 7-year-old daughters Lexie and Lance, taking them to swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading events. The twins addressed the jury directly, saying, "I want my mommy, I need my mommy, please don't take her away from me."WTF? Soccer mom defense? All they had to do is prove she was a good soccer mom and she literally got away with murder?

[Skybird]

Sure there must be more to the story. For example the quality of the former relation between the husband and the wife.

[Blood_splat]

Maybe he beat the snot out her. You never know what goes on behind closed doors with married couples. :hmmm:

[AVGWarhawk]

I would go with Skybird on this one. There is more to the story that would lean towards this woman getting the probation.

[Jimbuna]

I'm obviously unaware of any 'behind the scenes/background information or detail' but in the UK the usual mitigation pleaded is one of a wife that has been severely tortured both mentally and physically over a prolonged period during the course of the relationship, until they can bare no more and retaliate whilst not being in a fit enough state to consider the consequences of their actions.

On the information supplied in the link it would appear the jury put a great deal of weight on the needs/pleadings of the children.

[Snestorm]

Well it's a "jury of her peers" that obviousely knows more about the case than us.

Juries are more about Justice while judges are more about The Law.
Unfortunately, they aren't always one in the same.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Texas has a long reputation for strict criminal penalties. My jaw dropped when I read this.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/12/23/10-years-probation-for-killing-husband/UPI-37201261549268/

I hate to say this, but if this was a man who killed his wife, he'd be on death row.WTF? Soccer mom defense? All they had to do is prove she was a good soccer mom and she literally got away with murder?

Lemme guess: they're not black or Hispanic?

[Onkel Neal]

Texas has a long reputation for strict criminal penalties. My jaw dropped when I read this.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/12/23/10-years-probation-for-killing-husband/UPI-37201261549268/

I hate to say this, but if this was a man who killed his wife, he'd be on death row.WTF? Soccer mom defense? All they had to do is prove she was a good soccer mom and she literally got away with murder?


I agree, that doesn't sound right at all. Must have been some extenuating (sp?) circumstances...

[darius359au]

If you read this bit "The jury worked hard and we respect their verdict," Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Sean Colston said after the jury reached its decision." , that pretty much means there were extenuating circumstances - probably a battered wife who finally snapped after years of abuse.
That can work both ways as well , there was a case here not so long back where a guy killed his wife and got acquitted , turned out he'd had years of abuse from his wife , both physical and mental, and finally snapped.

[Sailor Steve]

Interesting that she was not aquitted, but found guilty.

On the other hand, the article said that 30 witnesses urged the jury to giver her probation.

Well, the jury spoke, and that's the law. I'm sure she won't do it again.

[August]

...extenuating circumstances - probably a battered wife who finally snapped after years of abuse.

This is what i figure happened as well.