Side-by-side cases show double standard for murder/attempted murder charges

Via Jeremy S. Read the first case:

Bangor man, 35, guilty in stabbing

'BANGOR, Maine — A jury Tuesday found a local man guilty of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend when he stabbed her twice in the abdomen nearly two years ago outside a Hudson Street apartment.
...
Archer, who took the stand in his own defense Tuesday morning, told the jury that he did not remember stabbing his ex-girlfriend twice on the evening of April 26, 2008, outside a mutual friend’s apartment in Bangor. He admitted, however, that he must have caused her injuries.
...
In his closing arguments, defense attorney Stephen Smith of Bangor told jurors that the evidence showed Archer was too intoxicated on a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs to form the intent to commit either of the more serious crimes. He said the jury should find the defendant guilty only of aggravated assault.'

Now, the second:

Wife Acquitted In Stabbing Death Of Husband

'A Gwinnett County jury deliberated for about three hours Monday before acquitting Laurie Alexander of murder and related charges in the Dec. 8, 2007 stabbing death of Kent Alexander.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Laurie Alexander claimed that after she confronted her husband about an affair, she took two prescription anti-anxiety pills and went to bed. She told police she didn't remember anything until the next morning, when she found her husband dead on the kitchen floor.

Alexander testified that a few hazy details came to her later in dreams. She said her husband may have become aggressive toward her after they argued.'