[NativeNewYorker]

Elsewhere on the net, it appears the govt is asking for 20ish years, NOT "life". A big headline year count for a non-violent perp is almost always truncated before half the sentence is served.

It would be useful to know what sentences similar circumstances have generated in the past, before judging if the prosecutors are too harsh.

He was offered a plea deal, but turned it down, choosing to go to trial, despite the mountains of evidence against him.

I have a hard time being sympathic, sorry.

[Piranha]

It was a shock last week when the prosecutors indicated that they were going to seek a life sentence instead of a term of 20+ years.

[avoth]

“I have a hard time being sympathic, sorry. “

No need to apologize nor is there any need for sympathy.

IMHO, as long as the punishment is more or less what was handed out for others in similar situations, I have no opinion on the matter. If, in similar situations, the perpetrator was as charitable and that was taken into account in sentencing, it should be done so here. If not, then it shouldn’t.

Fairness is what I want for everyone. There should be no reason to cast aspersions on anyone in our judicial system/process. If there are people who are casting aspersions without proper foundation, then they should be thoroughly discredited.