... representative individual defendants in criminal cases. And, contrary to popular misconception, very few identified murderers go "free". In California, the shortest amount of prison time that a murderer can actually do is ten years (2nd degree murder minimum sentence is 15 years and parole eligibility doesn't kick in until you've done 2/3's of the imposed sentence). First degree is minimum 25, so 17 years and 4 months before parole eligibility. Damn few get released at the first eligibility, either.

The only ways to get out earlier than that are:

1) Reversal of conviction on appeal (rare except where subsequently obtained scientific evidence shows the convicted person was innocent)

2) Gubernatorial pardon or commutation (Gray Davis granted ZERO in his entire term of office; don't know what Arnie is doing)

3) escape

4) die

I'd be willing to bet that there has NEVER been a case in which a defendant was sentenced to life and granted parole after a day or two in prison. Not in California. Not anywhere in the country. Not ever.

BTW, IMO, Martha received a very light sentence -- I was expecting more.

----- jim o\-S