you sound ridiculous.

I am April's closest friend. Her family doesn't write to her often. April has severe psychiatric issues (obviously), and she was not on any drugs at the time of the crime, or ever for that matter. April just left the Fayette County Jail last week, and is at Metro Prison in Atlanta for diagnostic testing. She has lost 60 pounds since being in jail. She will make it fine in prison. No, she will not commit suicide or be attacked by other inmates. She is quiet and stays to herself. I am a Christian, and I have a God who is big enough to forgive even murder. He is also big enough to watch over little Nici and give her strength and understanding for the years to come. What we should all be spending our time doing is focusing on what can be done in our society to make psychiatric care readily available for people who need it. Let's figure out a way to get the word out that there is help available, and that it is not shameful to have an illness such as April and many others suffer from. Maybe something like this could be prevented....isn't that what we all want? I feel so sorry for Eric and his family, and I am sorry that he is not with us any longer. I also feel sorry for April. Not because she is in prison for such a long time, as that is the consequence she must pay, but for the emotional issues she is dealing with and will deal with for the rest of her life. She regrets taking Eric's life. She loves her daughter deeply. In fact, Ballard did not "win her case". April took a plea bargain, and she get's out after 14 years...not 30 years. She asked Eric's family if they would allow her to be in contact (through counseling) with Nici, and in if they would allow that, she would take the plea bargain offered and spare putting the family through the trial that she probably could have won a diminished mental capacity not guilty plea considering her mental condition and certain events during and after the marriage that caused her to snap. Her attorney did not want to dwell on a lot of those events out of respect for Eric's family. No one wanted him to be made out as the "bad guy" because no matter what, he did not deserve to die. I am right now working with one of my sister's trying to finish the Christmas package we are sending to April. She is cold and is without tee shirts, thermals, etc. Please do not judge unless you have never made a mistake. Then you may cast the first stone.

Although I am not a "Christian", I have deep compassion for your friend, however, what she did was horrific. We never know what goes on in the minds of others and what pushes them to a point of insanity. Some people walk a thinner line, between reason and insanity, than others, as in April's case.

I think most of us really grieve for all those who were impacted by what she did. I hope that April finds peace one day, within herself. It's heartbreaking for everyone.

If none are allowed to be cast and everything is constantly forgiven, then I am safe from stone casting,aren't I?
Sounds like other talk I hear: I won't judge you, but you are going to hell!

Actually skyspy, statistically it costs a whole lot less in America to sentence someone to life in prison without parole, then to sentence him or her to death. And I’m not an anti-death sentence advocate, especially in these cases like the Atlanta courthouse case, with witnesses and video like so many – being obvious of the act and criminal. Death sentences always run into the millions with the entire process and appeals, where life for these obvious scumbags typically runs something around 30-40k a year to house them in prison.

I have to disagree with you, InTheKnow.

While I disagree with Scott Ballard on virtually everything else, I think that he did the right thing with this negotiated plea.

The simple fact of the matter is, America rarely executes white women. Heck, it rarely executes women, PERIOD. There are only 49 women on death row across America, and only 3 women since 1976 have been executed for killing their husband, and all three women killed their spouses in pre-planned murders for insurance purposes. The vast majority of women on death row were convicted of killing either their children or a police officer.

Ballard is no prize, but he acted appropriately here.

other reason, then for the sake of the daughter. A jury would never vote to leave a child an orphan regardless of the circumstances. Scott Ballard did a great job getting a guilty plea. Do you know how long it takes for a death penalty case to go to trial? Do you know how much money it would cost to seek a death penalty? Think about the emotional toll on this little girl.
You must have some other beef with Scott Ballard. He has clearly done the right thing in this case.