[concerned about politics]

Life imprisonment is only 20 years you know. There are brutal murderers of children set loose in their 40's who will most likely kill again. The death penalty should be given to child murderers.

Give him death, or the lifetime the child would have had left. @65 years. He can die in prison.

[JoeFromCA]

You're right; "life" seldom means life. Yates' sentence to life in Texas means parole consideration at 40 years. Ironically, this approach makes sense. Death panalty advocates in Texas actually support the "life with parole at 40" because it ties the hands of future liberal governors who might be tempted to commute a death penalty sentence to "life" (and have to face the political fallout of doing so).

"Death" means death; no ambiguity.