[AnotherUnixGeek]

I might point out that the act she committed was almost identical to that of the nurse who ploughed through an intersection and killed six people ... whose scalp everybody is now howling for, and rightly so.

Well, the nurse killed multiple people while Heche seems to have harmed no one but herself. If Heche had harmed anyone else, she'd also belong in prison. Both women drove recklessly and dangerously, but different outcomes - that leaves some room for sympathy.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Well, the nurse killed multiple people while Heche seems to have harmed no one but herself. If Heche had harmed anyone else, she'd also belong in prison.

Legally, not morally.