“The punishment for a long-term pattern of child sexual abuse is included in the sentence.” The children were spared the agony of a trial when Ma’s defense lawyer.
Patrick Griffin, claimed his client decided to enter a guilty plea and accept a sentence of 30 years to life in prison “because it was the right thing to do,” according to NBC.
Ma ‘does not seek forgiveness’ from the victims or their families, Griffin said, adding that she has been receiving therapy while in detention ‘to comprehend what went on here’.
According to the Union-Tribune, Ma was mandated to spend the entire 30 years of her sentence before a parole board will consider her release, in addition to paying thousands of dollars in fines and registering as a sex offender.
Even though Ma was accountable and showed regret in the courtroom, Deputy District Attorney Drew Hart said after the hearing that the sentence was appropriate.
