1. this is in canada, they have different laws and treat individuals differently. I'm making the assumption you are referring to american laws so please tell me if I'm wrong. 2. She was charged with attempted murder but pled down. this means that she was given a deal and she took it. this is not a issue of women inequality compared to men it is one of whether pleading in the court system is an effective tool. 3. She is suffering (according to the psychologist in the article) from depression and related symptoms. we call these mitigating factors. this means they lessen the sentence the judge or magistrate can impose. and because this individual did not go to court she cannot be placed in a mental institution. over all don't make this into something its not... also we don't know what will happen in 5 years. for all we know the court will throw her into an institution. However, we do know she will never be allowed near children of any persuasion again.