 The trial ended with Lhermitte receiving the maximum sentence for the murder of her five children . The court and the jury did not take any extenuating circumstances into account . In her closing argument , Lhermitte said she would accept any punishment the court gave her and showed remorse for her actions . Earlier in the trial , psychiatrists had found that Lhermitte was not of sound mind when she committed the acts and should not be held accountable for her actions . They felt that she should be admitted into a psychiatric institution rather than going to prison , but the jury did not follow their opinions . Lhermitte had been battling with depression for many years . She concluded that she saw the murder of her children and committing suicide as her only way out . 
