(I'm familiar with the entire saga.) TL;DR: There was no need to mention it if it wasn't relevant. It was a doublespeak pathos appeal while simultaneously fei

(I'm familiar with the entire saga.) TL;DR: There was no need to mention it if it wasn't relevant. It was a doublespeak pathos appeal while simultaneously feigning apology and taking ownership in order to dodge around the requirements of 1st degree murder under then California law. The media made only a small reductionist mischaracterization of the defense's strategy apart from the truth of what it really was: a red herring and a canard misdirecting blame away from the hateful, agro murderer who got a 7 year slap (-2 years for good behavior) on the wrist and topped himself 2 years later. California's legislature subsequently amended statutes to make it easier to get convictions for 1st degree murder as direct result of this case.