This case will break down society in a way that people are not prepared for. People already no longer trust the government, economy, justice system, and other institutions. When institutions repeatedly fail to deliver, it’s not only a sign of a declining civilization but a destruction of the social fabric that holds people together. After all, institutions are run by people and if the people running them can’t be trusted, that spills over into everyday life. This case is already breaking families, marriages, and friendships apart. And tbh, it should. There’s no compromising with people who support a child murderer. Add that on top of the already worsening political fragmentation we see in this country, and you have more than enough to push people so far apart that they stop interacting altogether. Allowing this woman to get anything less than life in prison sets a disturbing precedent, but it will also draw a sharp line in the sand. At some point, people stop arguing over politics and simply stop seeing each other as part of the same society. Then, there is very little left holding a country together.