Crazy? Or Just Evil?

In the Tampa Bay area, there's a trial going on about a mother who shot her two kids.  This is an educated, sophisticated woman, living in an upscale suburban part of town, who is pleading insanity (yeah, that's a given) as her defense.   But while we look into her troubled mental facilities, and analyze the effect of the anti-psychotic meds she was taking - or not taking - one thing is adamantly clear.  She planned, executed, confessed and recorded the deed.  That's not crazy, that's premeditated murder.  Her husband at the time was overseas on a US government posting, and she kept a detailed diary, mostly bemoaning how difficult was her life.  We learn from that diary that hubby's gone, kids are a burden to her with soccer and homework and parenting such.  And, oh yeah, they're getting "mouthy."

Welcome to motherhood.  So one day, while the kids are in school, she drives 20 miles from her home to purchase a gun, is surprised to learn that there is a 3-day waiting period, but comes back to take possession of the revolver.  Then, she picks up her son from soccer practice, shots him in the head while driving home, then shoots him again in the mouth, and leaves him in the van in the garage.  She then creeps upstairs where the daughter is doing her homework, and shoots her in the back of the head.  As she did with the boy, she shoots her daughter in the mouth as well.  Two head shots each, and a practice shot through the van's windshield.  She leaves a suicide note, but somehow doesn't find time to shoot herself, favoring instead overdosing on non-lethal meds.  In excruciating detail does she record all these events in her diary ex post facto, and they have been substantiated by forensic investigation.  The suicide didn't occur, she lived, and now she's on trial for murdering her kids.

Excuse me if my sympathy wanes.  Raising kids is a hard job, I know, and pretty much a thankless one until the kids get grown and have kids of their own.  I've been there, as I'm sure have you.   However, I can imagine motherhood would be a Herculean task for a self absorbed, self important narcissist.  And that mindset  could very well invite evil to nest, nurture and manifest itself into a living, breathing demonic woman.  The psychology aside, this execution of her children was clearly planned and executed to perfection.  The fact that she admits to it all is the only pitifully lacking saving grace.  If found guilty, she'll get three hots and a cot, plus free mental and health care for the rest of her miserable evil life, all at our expense . . . the ultimate free ride.  Who knows, maybe she's proud of herself.