Eight stories you may have missed this summer Sep 3, 2008
The January 2006 murder of a man in a Route 9 parking garage grabbed headlines again when Waltham resident James Brescia was sentenced to MCI-Cedar Junction to serve life without possibility of parole for murder. He also received an 18- to 20-year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to commit murder. (Newton Tab, MA)
Killer must be paroled, state high court says Aug 22, 2008
Lawrence is among about 5 percent of inmates sentenced to life without possibility of parole whose releases have been approved by the Board of Parole Hearings, whose members are appointed by the governor. Most paroles are then vetoed by the governor, whose authority to do so was established by a 1988 initiative. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Defendant gets life in for Howard Porter murder Aug 12, 2008
"Our thinking is that life without possibility of parole -- Rashad Raleigh off our streets, for sure, for the rest of his life -- is a very good deal, and we feel it very much serves the public interest," Gaertner said. Copyright 2008. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NCAA Basketball)
Man pleads guilty in killing of ex-'Nova star Porter Aug 12, 2008
"Our thinking is that life without possibility of parole -- Rashad Raleigh off our streets, for sure, for the rest of his life -- is a very good deal, and we feel it very much serves the public interest," Gaertner said. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. (ESPN -- College Basketball)
Bishop mom asks public to help son Jul 23, 2008
That was his friend, Jessie Johnson, who is in Parchman penitentiary serving a sentence of life without possibility of parole. Bishop, however, played enough of a role in the crime that he was charged with capital murder. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Reaffirm our belief in the bill of rights Jul 4, 2008
However, the simplest, least costly, most fair and workable alternative, which the commission indicated the citizens of California should consider, would be to replace capital punishment with a sentence of death in prison, also known as life without possibility of parole. BETH WEINBERGER. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Life sentence for man convicted in Schiller killing Jul 1, 2008
Brescia was sentenced to MCI-Cedar Junction to serve life without possibility of parole for the murder conviction. He also received an 18- to 20- year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to commit murder. (Newton Tab, MA)
Teen convicted of murdering trooper May 16, 2008
By JOHN HENSON/jhenson@c-dh. COVINGTON The mother of slain State Trooper Calvin Jenks said Wednesday the man who shot her son should be sent to prison for the rest of his life, without possibility of parole. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Jerry Jones receives death penalty for quadruple murder May 3, 2008
The jury sent Nelson a question regarding how a vote of life without possibility of parole would affect a vote of death on another count shortly after they convened on Friday ... The jury can hand a sentence down of death, life without possibility of parole or life with possibility of parole. (WWalker County Messenger, GA)
Jerry Jones' fate is in jury's hands May 2, 2008
He faces the death penalty, life without possibility of parole or life with possibility of parole for the January 2004 murders in the Ranger community. Michelle Drake, one of his attorneys s wept as she begged the jury to not kill Jerry Jones. (Calhoun Times, GA)
Evans leads effort on med. examiner Mar 28, 2008
Edmonds, then 13 years old, was convicted of murdering his brother-in-law and sentenced to life without possibility of parole after Hayne testified that the fatal bullet was fired by two fingers on the trigger - Edmonds being an assistant murderer. "You don't have to be a forensic pathologist, you don't even have to be of average intelligence to know that's bogus science," Evans said. (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Alleged killer committed Feb 28, 2008
Ada County prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty in the Morse case, but Delling could still be sent to prison for life without possibility of parole if convicted on the murder charge. Reader Comments. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Death row cases remanded Feb 26, 2008
He was also sentenced to life without possibility of parole in the 1987 shooting in Idaho Falls of convenience store clerk Nolan Haddon. Reader Comments. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Ray Gets Life in Prison Feb 20, 2008
The arrangement consolidated his punishment for four first-degree murder counts to one sentence of life without possibility of parole. Other charges -- attempted murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping and arson -- were also consolidated for a sentence of 201 to 351 months. (The Pilot Newspaper)
Study: Parole should be option for juveniles serving life sentences Feb 14, 2008
The coalition, which includes law firms, law schools, and human rights organizations, identified 103 people in Illinois prisons who were sentenced to life without possibility of parole when they were minors. Rich Klawiter, a Chicago attorney and member of the coalition, said neurological and psychological studies show that sentencing minors to life imprisonment is inappropriate. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Jailed Drug Dealer Gets Second Life Sentence Feb 6, 2008
Gladding already is serving 25 years to life without possibility of parole after being convicted by a New York state jury of first-degree murder in August 2006. He will be transferred to a federal prison within 30 days, prosecutor Doug Gregory said. (FOX61, CT)
Herd pleads guilty to sexual charge Feb 5, 2008
wrote on Feb 4, 2008 6:08 PM:" I hope the federal judge who sentences Pedopohile-extrovert Herd does not have the "compassion" shown by Eric Melgren, our U.S. Attorney for Kansas who agreed to an 18-year plea deal. Herd is the type of individual who is incurable and the only appropriate sentence will be life without possibility of parole. ". Huh wrote on Feb 4, 2008 5:17 PM:" The mother must be an idiot, too bad stupidity isn't a crime she could go to jail along with the sicko step... (Leavenworth Times, KS)
Ruling limits inmates to G-, PG-rated films Jan 18, 2008
The legal challenge was brought by Anthony Gaskins, an inmate serving a sentence of life without possibility of parole at MCI-Cedar Junction at Walpole. He is the same inmate who mounted an unsuccessful lawsuit in the state courts to win the right to put a ring on his bride's finger and kiss her during a wedding ceremony at the maxmum-security prison, Pingeon said. (Boston Globe)
'Cold Case' Killer Gets Life Dec 18, 2007
(12-17) 12:56 PST San Francisco - -- The man convicted for the 1985 rape and killing of a 28-year-old photographer wept in court Monday as a judge condemned him to a sentence of life without possibility of parole for first-degree murder. Calling the sentence "entirely appropriate," Judge Charlotte Walter Woolard addressed the defendant, John Davis, 40, before pronouncing sentence on him in the Dec. 4, 1985, slaying of Barbara Martz. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Accused Killer to Kids: 'I Took Mom's Life... Sorry' Dec 15, 2007
" Budzynowski testified that he made the 3 1/2-hour drive to Emmet County in northern Michigan the night of March 2, hours after police found the torso of Grant's wife, Tara, in the garage of the Grants' home in Washington Township. Budzynowski testified that he went to Wilderness State Park after Emmet County sheriff's deputies informed him they found the truck Grant drove when he fled from the Detroit area. "I took a letter from the truck," Budzynowski testified before a prosecutor asked him... (Fox News)
4 men get life terms in '79 Mich. Death Dec 12, 2007
The convictions guaranteed prison sentences of life without possibility of parole. Interest in the crime was revived after a Hope class produced a documentary film about it that aired on public television in 2004. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Young lifers deserve chance at parole Nov 23, 2007
"Their own vulnerability and comparative lack of control over their immediate environments," the court majority reasoned in Roper, "mean juveniles have a greater claim than adults to be forgiven for failing to escape negative influences in their whole environment."The rationale that led the court to outlaw the execution of juveniles applies equally to the second harshest penalty available to our justice system, life without possibility of parole. The vulnerability and immaturity -- and thus, the... (Fresno Bee)
Lisa McCalmont; challenged lethal injections Nov 16, 2007
Subsequently, Ms. McCalmont and the state attorney general's office held negotiations and Anderson agreed to accept a sentence of life without possibility of parole. "That was the accomplishment of which she was most proud," Dixon said. (Boston Globe)
• No Panic In Poll Nov 8, 2007
And voters remain divided when given a choice between imposing a sentence of death (47 percent) or life without possibility of parole (44 percent). Support for the death penalty is higher in the Cheshire case, the details of which horrified the state. (FOX61, CT)
Robin has her day in court Oct 31, 2007
William Charles Marshall was just moments away from being sentenced to life without possibility of parole. Kim had been writing notes to herself in the weeks since the jury took only five hours to find Marshall guilty. (Los Angeles Times)
BREAKING: Polygamist leader convicted on both counts Sep 26, 2007
Errin Hansen wrote on Sep 25, 2007 3:46 PM:" Now hang this rapist. Give him life without possibility of parole if you can't execute him. Send a signal to these religious wackos. Please prosecute more and stop this rape and exploitation of young girls and women in the name of GOD! Warren Jeffs and this movement have given Utah a terrible reputation. ". The comments above are from readers. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
• `3 Strikes' Measure Called Costly Sep 11, 2007
Lawlor said the California law defines a life sentence as 25 years in prison, while Connecticut Republicans are talking about a three-strikes law with a penalty of life without possibility of parole. Lawlor said he hopes the legislature will focus on providing court and prison officials with the tools to "find the needle in the haystack" - identifying dangerous offenders such as Komisarjevsky before they are eligible for parole. (FOX61, CT)
Sharpe acquitted in slaying plot Aug 24, 2007
Sharpe is serving life without possibility of parole, but Bassil said a conviction would have meant Sharpe would have been housed solely in super-maximum or maximum prisons. Assistant Norfolk District Attorney John Stapleton declined to comment. (Boston Globe)
Vernon Fields Found Guilty of Ranch-hand Murder in Elko Aug 21, 2007
Fields' wife, Linda, was convicted earlier of the same crime and is serving a term of life without possibility of parole. The jury received the case on Friday and returned its verdict just before noon today. (KRNV.com, NV)
Man Who Killed Girlfriend Sentenced To 45 Years Aug 10, 2007
I just don't understand how people don't automatically get life without possibility of parole. But 45 sounds pretty good considering what terms other killers get these days. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Pa. teenager sentenced to life in porch shootings Aug 1, 2007
A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory punishment of life without possibility of parole. Prosecutors could not seek the death penalty because Batts was younger than 16 when he killed Edwards. (NEPA News, PA)
SF man gets 2 life terms Jul 15, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO / 2 life terms for man who killed a dad, son (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Anderson, community await verdict Jul 14, 2007
On Feb. 13, 2006, a grand jury indicted Jerry Anderson on a charge of first-degree murder, which is a Class A felony punishable by death or imprisonment for life without possibility of parole. The state is seeking the death penalty. (Lenoir News Topic, NC)
Bush gets 'excessive' Jul 8, 2007
In not a single one of those cases was the punishment "excessive." Not one of those inmates -- not the mentally ill or the mentally retarded, not the battered wife or the born-again woman for whom the pope pleaded -- deserved to have his or her sentence commuted to life without possibility of parole. Libby's sentence was within the federal sentencing guidelines, which have been approved by the Supreme Court. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Mental health key in case of man accused of killing 2, wounding UA student Jul 6, 2007
He could still be sent to prison for life without possibility of parole if convicted on the murder charges. Under Idaho law, a jury must be unanimous in a decision to impose the death penalty. (FOX 11, AZ)
Judge delivers guilty verdict Jun 28, 2007
JKB wrote on Jun 27, 2007 10:25 PM:" This "raven-haired" remark is really tearing at me... how about describing the agony that poor baby endured before his death. As far as the defense attorney "hoping for a different verdict"... I was too. I would like for her to receive the same fate that poor child did, but hopefully she will suffer much torment and mistreatment in prison, where baby killers are also seen as monsters. The judge should have given her a minimum of life without possibility of... (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)
Paris isn't free -- and neither are we (147) Jun 10, 2007
" yeah, perfect perspective. It allows you to feel morally superior at the same time that you openly flaunt breaking the law yourself by downloading a movie. Very Republican attitude you got there, pal. -- rollerboyz [] Friday, June 8, 2007 06:54 PM She Can't Go Away - You Won't Let Her The only way that Paris Hilton will go away is if the media stops writing about her. The reason I have subscribed to Salon for all these years is because I want to read about things that matter. I want to read... (Salon)
Anderson trial to begin May 13, 2007
First-degree murder is a Class A felony punishable by death or imprisonment for life without possibility of parole. The state is seeking the death penalty. (Lenoir News Topic, NC)
Charges reduced for twins in '05 death of ex-schoolmate May 11, 2007
For nearly two years, residents wondered whether the McGuanes would be convicted and sentenced to prison for life without possibility of parole. But now, in a blow to Proctor's family and supporters, the twins no longer face murder charges. (Boston Globe)
Go to jail; get degree Apr 29, 2007
I don t have a problem with the no death penalty for children under 18 law, but Holley and Sandra should be serving life without possibility of parole, making education pointless. For less serious offenders why not try to rehab them while they re being punished. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
A personal view on the death penalty Mar 8, 2007
And it s been proven to cost taxpayers more than life without possibility of parole. Revenge has never been shown to be a family value. (Montana Standard, MT)
Man, 83, accused of stabbing wife at least 100 times Mar 2, 2007
Jandura is charged under a section of state law which requires a penalty of life without possibility of parole when a murder "was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity.". Jandura is a Canadian citizen, as was his wife, Ingeborg, 82. (Honolulu Advertiser)
O'Malley testifies for end to capital ... (Brian Witte) Feb 22, 2007
Opponents of the death penalty, including several men who spent time on death row before they were proven innocent, spoke out in favor of the measures, which would replace a death sentence with life without possibility of parole. Meanwhile, supporters of capital punishment prepared to push to end a de facto moratorium on capital punishment in Maryland that resulted from a Court of Appeals ruling late last year. (Washington Times, DC)
Marine withdraws guilty pleas, now says he was obeying orders Feb 9, 2007
To Hate plea deals wrote on February 08, 2007 11:50 AM:"Or in this case, the difference is 10-21 months versus life without possibility of parole. That's a mighty tempting carrot for anyone to resist.". Smilin Jack wrote on February 08, 2007 12:25 PM:"Morally Right's position is anything but morally right. It says that all involved should stick together and cover each other's rear. To my mind, real male fortitude would have been for any of these guys to say AT THE TIME, "This is not right. (North County Times)
Nichols would plead guilty Feb 9, 2007
The only two possibilities would include a life sentence or life without possibility of parole. District Attorney Paul Howard declined to comment Thursday, according to a spokeswoman. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Four workers shot at Indiana business that employs disabled people; co-worker arrested Jan 12, 2007
He faces a sentence of life without possibility of parole. Fagone and biochemist Larissa Schuster, 46, were arrested after authorities found the decomposed body of Timothy Schuster in a 55-gallon container in a storage unit rented by his wife in 2003. (North County Times)
