As to your first point, I think there's a factual analogy at the very least as the woman was attempting to hire a hitman (actually an undercover cop) who would, one assumes, have executed the husband in precisely the same way.

As for the country's psyche, I take your point. The mental state of the collective is a difficult thing to deal with here - can it even be defined? There are obvious policy reasons why the view of the mob shouldn't provide a legal defence. But I don't know that I'd dismiss the argument entirely.

I am not suggesting that anything be condoned - just if it can be defended on a legal basis. (e.g. I don't condone my clients stealing food for their kids but I consider necessity a legitimate defence in those cases.)