“Personally, I think anyone who successfully beats a rap in a criminal case based on an insanity defense should spend at least as much time in a mental institution as he or she would have spent in prison under a maximum sentence.”
I agree with your statement, generally. However, I do not believe that 40 years is the applicable sentence for stealing a $20 necklace. ;-)
40 years certainly seems excessive for stealing a necklace (the value shouldn’t matter, as $20 in 1974 isn’t the same as $20 today), but if the perp had a long rap sheet before he committed that crime then 40 years may be appropriate.