Reckless murder is not necessarily less serious than intentional murder for sentencing purposes; the moral culpability of the offender must be assessed by reference to the particular facts, not simply the category of malice. A guilty plea does not automatically preclude the imposition of the maximum sentence of life imprisonment where the offender's criminality so outweighs mitigating circumstances. Where mental illness moderately impairs judgment, the mitigatory effect may be adequately reflected in the imposition and length of a non-parole period rather than in reducing the head sentence below the maximum.
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