Washington Post Opinion: The Arbery case is heinous, but his killers' sentences are extreme

[maxsolomon]

53. The question is what a life sentence accomplishes.

I'm quite aware DU feels the murderers deserve what they got.

But what is the point? Vengeance? Deterrence? Rehabilitation? Protection of the public? Those are all purposes of Prison sentences, but it's hard to argue multiple life sentences accomplishes anything but the 1st.

35 years may mean Bryan gets out on parole before his death - barely. Maybe in 20 years.

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown:
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.