The answers to some of your questions only DTC knows I'm afraid!
When SOC first took charge, I remember reading that he didn't approve of characters getting away with their crimes.
So at the moment I have faith that he will tie the story up as satisfactorily as possible given the difficult circumstances he's inherited (however, I also had faith in DTC at the beginning and look how well that turned out!).
I was heartened that at least Ian and Jane didn't even attempt to excuse their behaviour and that Ian even commented that Max would have got the death penalty a few decades ago.