I go back and forth on this issue. I wouldn't mind either punishment myself, but I know that the family wanted death. At least this way, they have another crack at it, but I hope that if she gets LWOP that they are still able to move on with their lives. I worry that they feel as if they NEED death for there to be justice for Travis. Either way, they come across as a strong family and I think they will get through this.
Since the family so strongly feels that they want the DP, it kind of helps in my own personal disappointment that the jury didn't reach a decision, since the alternative would have probably been life in prison. (Usually when people feel strongly against the death penalty, you aren't going to change their minds.) Since eight others felt as strongly that she should get death, this outcome at least gives them a second chance.
Sooooo... In a way, being disappointed in the outcome of no verdict kind of defaults to being disappointed that she didn't get the DP because if the sentence had been life, the family would have been upset then, too. I can say that I just feel badly that they don't have closure, and they will have to wait a few more months for a resolution, but they don't just want any resolution. They want her to get the DP. Does that make sense? I don't know. Sometimes I ramble. lol. Anyway, I think that's why people assume that, if you are disappointed in the outcome, you are disappointed that she didn't get death because LWOP would have been a disappointment to the family.
OK, seriously, did any of that make sense? I don't know. I'm hot and tired now. lol