[Oblivion437]

Well, forced sterylizing of a group would be inhumane, but particular individuals such as this one clearly aren't in a position to raise children...

Now, one thing I think that's misunderstood, is that one of the hardest pleas to prove is insanity. Testimony has to be brought together that is harder to arrange, and rings loudly immaterial and irrelevant to most juries.

In this case, what has to be taken into account is, that it's very unlikely it was as simple as saying, "God made me do it!" and walking off. Chances are a hell of a show was put on for the jury, including 'random' fits or whatever. It wouldn't surprise me a tiny bit that there would be elaborate choreography and staging planned well before trial began to insure the likely belief that this woman is out of her mind. I'm not saying she likely is, I'm saying it's very likely to be seen that way, due to the elaborate tricks lawyers would employ.

Another thing to note, is that a defendant, as a person doesn't have to say one word or get on the stand unless called by the prosecution. A plea of insanity, guilt, innocence, no contest or whatever is entered, is done so by the council unless the defendant represents themselves. In the US, due to 'right of attorney' this is rarely the case, and sometimes, individuals are ordered by the judge to retain council when they opt out of the court appointed attorney's services. If one is stuck with a court-appointed attorney, getting one's own lawyer or studying the law heavily to bring up certain points on one's own will likely be necessary, as appointed lawyers have a nasty habit of not giving a damn about their appointees.