You don't have to be smart to drive. I have worked with adults who have the mental capacity of 8 years old and they drive and have children and that is why we work with them. Should they be driving, another question, but I can't transfer my ideals onto them. It is not about insanity, it is about culpability. And to what degree, given her disabilities is she culpable. She may understand right and wrong, but may not grasp cause and effect. I have worked with many people who were not only severely delayed, but victims of domestic violence and I can tell you that some of their actions are typical symptoms and not malicious.
Same as above. If TM has questionable culpability, she should get a fair trial and be represented aggressively. It is her right. I am not defending her, but, if she has the capacity of a child or is mentally deranged to the point that she has the culpability of a child, it should be looked at if there is a reported history of domestic violence and abuse. If we look at other countries, like child soldiers in Africa, to initiate them, they are required to kill their parents or be killed. They typically kill their parents to stay alive. Should they be treated as murders or are there other circumstance to be looked at in terms of being culpable for a crime? If TM has the mentality of a child and is a battered spouse, we need to look at everything before she is judged and sentenced. IMOO.