A mohawk is a step as specified by the rules, and she changes edges a couple of times before entering that. It's not an intricate entry into the 3lutz, but she absolutely did do her 3lutz right after executing a step as defined by the rules.
Read the rules more carefully again, the requirement for the steps preceding the jump in the SP spefically demands a higher standard than what you just described. This is why several judges chose to give her -3 for GOE otherwise, a step out is normally between -1 and -2.
Can you point me to the relevant documentation? I want to read it myself. If that's the case then a lot of people should be getting -3 for their solo jumps in the SP. Also, in the rulebook I'm reading a step out has a deduction of -2 to -3 in the GOE.
Which is why there was this memo or communication sometimes last year, my memory escapes me, telling judges to crack down on the lack of connecting steps prior to the solo jump. I don't recall where I placed that thing or where exactly I saw it.
I wasn't able to provide you with any documentation because I couldn't recall where to find it. But a recent ISU communication published after the 2011 Worlds re-emphasized again the requirement of steps preceding a jump has to be taken more carefully, see Communication #1672: The Single and Pair Technical Committee reminds the Judges of the necessary GOE reduction in case steps and/or movements do not immediately precede the jump in the Short Program. In case of steps the take-off of the jump must be in the rhythm of these steps.
Also, if we review again the element in question here of the concerned skater:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIj_PDa2b4#t=0m58s
The requirement asked for "steps and/or movements". The skater had maybe, if we are really lenient, a single step at 1m and 01s mark and yes, the little change of edge. Otherwise, the clip clearly showed she stroked across the whole length of the ice in mostly pure stroking towards the Triple Lutz attempt. In this case, fairly conclusively, the requirement was not met. Along with the step out, the only possible GOE to be assigned in this case, is -3, anything else would be considered an error because essentially, this skater made at least two major errors that resulted in a about a -5 in GOE deficit, the preceding steps requirement not fulfilled = -3 and step out = -2. Lack of any transitions into the jump and assuming the jump had good height and distance and is somehow worth a+2 without the error, -5+2 would still be -3 and that is from a generous point of view. Thankfully, this error on the part of some judges did not affect the ultimate outcome, especially the one who marked that a +1. Nevertheless, the fact that the ISU made a point of remarking this again shows that they are noticing judges are not reinforcing this strict enough or simply omitted to follow this rule rigorously enough. Expect that this will be watched a lot more closely next season now that it has been repeated a few times now and this time, through an official communication.
And it's not unusual that the ISU would issue a communication re: a specific element or sometimes re: a specific skater/team without actually naming the person(s). In December 2009, the ISU also issued a communication specifically targeting Virtue/Moir's original "the goose" lift where she performed a one and half turn jump off his back as the exit. It was ruled illegal even though they did not receive any deduction for an illegal element during the competitions that they performed this lift. However, the team knew they had to change or deductions will be applied in the future, hence they changed the element.
Hope this satisfied your curiosity about the requirement re: steps before jump in the SP for senior skaters.