Question

What if the defendant later admits that they did in fact kill the victim. Are they getting away with murder or could there be any other options?

Answer 1

There are other options in the case when defendant admits to the crime (of killing the victim)

Explanation:

In case the defendant accepts to have committed the crime of killing the victim, he can be given a thought of receiving some leniency in the punishment.

The counsel of the concerned defendant can argue in the court of law, that act was in a fit of rage, or haste of anger and was entirely not pre-meditated. He can further arague that feeling guilt of the crime, the defendant admitted to his crime hence he should be subjected to a lenient term.