I never understood why Lee (and a few other ones I’ve forgotten their names—-Aldrich Ames was 1) were not executed.
I mean if their betrayal costs the lives of Americans and costs hundreds of millions as well as endangering national security. How worse could it be and why even keep capital punishment on the books?
They’re probably not executed because if they are dead they are useless, but if they are alive they might have potential value as bargaining chips.
Part of a plea deal to get them to tell all, for that they would remain alive.