I actually did hear some talking head on, I think, Greta Van Sustern's show discussing the sentencing. He mentioned the "first offense" thing and that that could be mitigating. Of course, I started rolling my eyes at that. Murdering your pregnant wife and throwing her in the bay is one heck of a first offense!
A lot of those talking heads are lawyers. Lawyers will say anything with a straight face, I don't hold it against them. I just avoid them in my personal and professional life, that's all! :-)
I should know, I am a member of the NY Bar and worked in 2 major law firms for 8 years! ;-)