The only exception are the people speculating this BEFORE the verdict as they were analyzing and suggesting possible outcomes on all aspects of the trail.

Even then we won't know anything for sure until it happens. The guilty verdict to me was a surprise to me, but a welcome one at that. And even then if she does get a lighter sentence she can still be brought up on a metric fuck ton of additional charges with new trials featuring new prosecutors and judges. Maxwell will likely be tied up in court for a long while while the rest of the plan continues.