Remember that she was arrested in 1999. She was out on bail on 9/11/2001 when she said "I'm screwed." Everyone already knew at that point.
But I agree with you that she is where she belongs. I don't buy into the argument that she has already been rehabilitated just because she was enjoying a "nice" life in St. Paul where she was volunteering, etc. She committed serious crimes and should pay just like anyone else. She refused to face the consequences at the time and CHOSE to get married and raise children. She knowingly put her family in this position and I do not feel sorry for her.
However, I think it would be extremely hard for any of us to suddenly be confronted at the age of 18-20 with the fact that our mother is actually a felon and is responsible for murder and attempted murder. Those girls come across as in denial in the article, but they probably ARE in denial to some extent. I'm sure it will take years for them to come to terms with this. Right now they are still reflexively defending their mother, who they knew as loving. I think it's kind of cruel for journalists to try to interview them and to publish this story. They have suffered enough and the media should leave them alone, IMHO.
As for the husband...that's another story. He probably knew all along. I really do feel sorry for the kids. Their parents put them in a terrible position and have caused them great pain.