[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I don't think that commuting a death sentence to life imprisonment rises to the level of a second chance. It's entirely possible to be for wanting Tookie off the streets permanently, and against killing him.

Why even have a death penatly if states aren't going to use it then?

Life in prison still means that he'll have food, water, shelter, and other basic necessities that most current victims of the recent hurricanes don't have.

[dfwgator]

And there still is the remote chance that he could escape, or be used as a bargaining chip in a hostage situation.