Amanda knows full well what she's doing but she believes what she's doing is a good thing, when in reality it's not. Being convinced that radical extremes are good/right and being innocent are two very different things

so the trauma and psychological torture on top of having her moral compass twisted around from manipulation, just makes her unstable and unhinged, not innocent.

ok spelling it out for you because you are being obtuse 💖

amanda is a heroin addict. she has a lofty police record. she has been to jail. shes suffered heavily from abuse by the police. she, in an act of desperation, is complicit in the murder of gideon kramer. okay so we got that? then, gideons father, john kramer, puts her in a death trap where she has to KILL someone, or she will literally die. okay cool. then, somehow, the police get involved. i really doubt amanda contacted them so we could assume that this is terrifying and extra traumatizing for her. the police have a) a history of framing her something she didnt do and b) now know she KILLED someone, even though it was to save herself. i dont think its a stretch to think hmm maybe amanda MIGHT be scared she will go to prison again.

ok with me? then, right after the police drag her back into the department to have her rehash her horrific trauma, reminding her they know where she lives and can get her any time they want, john kramer shows up. he 'invites' her to join him in his pursuit of 'saving' people. lets remember she knows exactly who he is, and that she knows now that if he realizes that she played a part in his sons death that she will be dead meat. she joins john. she falls further and further into this hole.

do you maybe see how she had literally no escape from this situation? this is why i dont really believe amanda had any "out" in saw, besides dying. the police will never give her the rehabilitation she needs/deserves. she can only struggle desperately until she finally gives in. i think the fact that she can't even Look at lynn when she shoots her, and the pain on her face, should be a clear indicator that she isnt having fun, she isnt relishing in murder. shes giving one last attempt at life, trying to prevent john from finding out about gideon.

also hi just saying, making this an argument about amandas "innocence" is sooo stupid and pointless. whats the point in going "WELL SHES NOT INNOCENT!!" no i guess not? she did literally kill people? but when you frame it in the context i provided hopefully you at least feel some pity for her? shes an overally just sad character. she isnt an "angel" but whats the point in trying to say she is or isnt? shes someone who got beat down by life, and had no options but to fight and claw to survive. shes not "innocent" shes not "an angel" shes just someone who wants to live.