What's the point of a judge giving someone 3 consecutive life sentences plus 224 years in prison instead of just saying life in prison?

Question

Just sounds so stupid and unnecessary.

RavVid · Accepted Answer

It signals disapproval of a crime :). I am not a US cit so don't know how it works that well. Life sentences are not till you die in prison because you get parole hearings and you can out much earlier.

I would think the court did not want the gentleman to get out on parole till his funeral. The average of the sentences is 75 years and if the convict was 20-25 so one of them would have been enough. I imagine it has been calculated to prevent early release.

In my country, our first mass murderer got concurrent sentences for seven murders but received only 27 years as the non-parole sentence such that he would have got out 10 years ago. However special legislation was passed by Parliament so he will die in prison. Whilst I agree with the outcome, it is not such a good way of doing it. It was a Bill of Attainder. A specific Act of Parliament to make a specific act of a specific person a crime with this punishment.

I think the US Constitution (without checking) rightly prevents Bills of Attainder so I like your way of making sure somebody rots in jail for the rest of their natural life better. But then, I am just an Aussie bush lawyer so what do I know?

RebelinSteel · Accepted Answer

As @barryliverstone says a single sentence can be a black and white appeals case. If they win they walk. Also for a number of crimes where a person is arrested, there are often other crimes to take into account. Then there is concurrent and consecutive sentencing, in this case we are looking at consecutive sentencing. Someone committing a murder will receive a life sentence for each murder and also other time for any other offences that are not deemed to be concurrent, stealing a car, breaking into a house, attempted murder, kidnap etc.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Ok let's suppose I kill 5 people.
Life in the uk is 25 years.
So if I get life that's only 5 years per victim.
I might has well killed 25 that would only amount to a year per victim. That's a slap in the face for their families.

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

Because even with a life sentence they can still be eligible for parole. So others heaped on top removes that possibility.

Drewtate · Answer

Well if say you murdered 9 people you shouldn't get like convicted of all those crimes together and a term of say 20 years like in Norway. Instead you should be sentenced for each of the murders so say 30 years multiplied by 9 so 270 years and 30 years is light for murder.

A life sentence for murder is about 15 years with parole so when judges give multiplie life sentences for the most despicable crimes and specifically say no parole they are ensuring the perpetrator will die in prison.

AviatorTom · Answer

Some crimes have required sentences. For example, first degree murder requires a life sentence. If someone is convicted of two murders, they get two life sentences.

In some places, a life sentence may still be eligible for parole after serving some part of the life sentence. Multiple life sentences negates any chance for parole.

Flatmanlewis · Answer

In California some sentences can be reduced by a certain set percentage based on good behavior, restitution, etc. Multiple sentences (usually for each separate criminal act and/or victim) both mitigates this and also dignifies the suffering of victims as important.

WhiteSteve · Answer

I fucking hate judges, lmfao. I LOVED that dude recently for going airborne at the judge at his sentencing. If you’re going to take years of my life away, I reserve the right to fuck you up on my way out, lmao. That’s nobody’s place to do to anyone, so I feel totally fine about that.

But yeah, I’m not sure what they pile it for. It’s probably a technicality in case of appeals, so if they flip one verdict they might still keep you locked on the other charges.

Anonymous · Answer

Here's the very first original reason why this is done. When someone dies in prison but comes back to life it voids that prison sentence since it's already served. Oddly enough it has happened very few rare times when the prisoners were given the death sentence died but was revived and came back to life. At first when that happened they were set free, but after the first few cases of that happening they said nuh uh not anymore even if the person comes back to life they're still not getting out and they denied the person from being set free and continued making them serve time even though the sentence had been voided when the person died then came back to life

LiamJHayden · Answer

Because life is usually not really life. In some states, a sentence of "Life" means that the inmate is eleigible for parole in 15 years. The stated sentence would mean the inmate has to serve a minimum of 45 years (3 x 15) + roughly half of the 224, or 157 years minimum before being eligible for parole.

BCA6010 · Answer

Usually it's because there are multiple crimes that individually warrant such a sentence. It's done this way so that they are/can be individually appealed, but won't get somebody off on other crimes.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

If later one case is thrown out or a sentence is reduced for A particular crime then the others stand without challenge.

NathanDavis · Answer

if two life sentences get overruled... the third one is still going to keep you in prison for life... it's just due process

NamerOfStars · Answer

Appeals and parole, mostly, along with wanting to be seen as "tough on crime" to get re-elected.

joehypo1 · Answer

I know it sure is not making the victims family feel any better

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Often times initial rulings go through appeals and also people can get out of prison early at times. The judge is ensuring that person stays locked up forever

nawtee_me · Answer

With life sentences you can get paroled in extenuating circumstances but the 224 years added to it means even if you do get paroled you will still do the 224 years or die trying…

Anonymous · Answer

I don't know if you've noticed, but often times "life in prison" means the person is out in a few years. It's tougher if they have 3 life sentences and another 224 years.

CaptainSmartass · Answer

Its because American law requires a sentence for each count the defendant is guilty of. Simples...

Anonymous · Answer

If you commit 5 crimes and get convicted and sentenced for 10; you might successfully get the 5 extra convictions overturned in appeal. However, you still should serve the time for the 5 you did do. Or at least that is the mindset of these judges.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

For any chance of appeals. This is without a reasonable doubt striking the gavel down in eternal justice.

Squatting_Slav · Answer

I agree I've always found this stupid

Cubus · Answer

To look like a badass

Iron_Man · Answer

I know there is no point

Zestyassmf1997 · Answer

Bureaucracy.

What's the point of a judge giving someone 3 consecutive life sentences plus 224 years in prison instead of just saying life in prison?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

What's the point of a judge giving someone 3 consecutive life sentences plus 224 years in prison instead of just saying life in prison?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.