[Gay State Conservative]

That’s why she faces 5 years to life.

I'm almost certain that I've read that in Texas it's a *jury* that decides how a person is punished for a crime.I do believe that I've read of cases where a Texas jury has sentenced a person convicted of a serious crime to little or no punishment.

Of course a lawyer...particularly a Texas lawyer...might have something to say about my belief.

[Tired of Taxes]

It seems that, yes, in Texas, a defendant can ask for the jury to decide sentencing...?

More here:

https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/ten-odd-things-about-texas-criminal-trials

[TexasGunLover]

That is correct. Also no degree's of murder in Texas.

I followed the case pretty closely. I believe she DID make the mistake of fact thinking it was her apartment... but rather than secure the only entrance/exit, wait for help or give verbal commands she though "This person has picked the wrong person to pick on, I"m going to open that door and punish whoever it is broke into my home..." That's my take on her motive, which makes it murder by Texas law.