Compassionate Killing

How much time does Temple get for killing her mother Isabel?  Despite her impassioned plea that she was just doing mother’s bidding, the judge rejected her argument that it was an unusual case where the interest of justice would be served by imposing probation.  The judge found no “great provocation or duress,” and rejected the notion that Temple acted in a mental state that impaired her judgment due to post traumatic stress disorder.  Finally, the judge felt it necessary to “impose a severe sanction” to send a message of deterrence to society.  She sent Temple to prison for six years.  Temple appealed, but the sentence was upheld.  People v. Stuart, decided October 18, 2007.