It is really INDETERMINATE SENTENCING. The judge says "an indeterminate period of time not to exceed Life Imprisonment" or typical wording to this effect. This is the technique used in most states. However, the fuzzy and addled 4th estate reporters interpret this as a "Life Sentence". Wrong. When Persecution and Judge are serious about it, the sentence is read to the effect of "Life Sentence with No Chance of Parole". Now THAT is a LIFE SENTENCE.
So, many times we are "robbed" by the poor understanding of the reporters which leads to slipshod journalism.
SOURCE: the US Marshall that just read this and I had lunch with.
So, many times we (spectators to justice) DO NOT GET ANYTHING NEAR THE EXPECTED SENTENCE. Such terroistic individuals should get one of the TOP SENTENCES: LIFE (a real Life Sentence) if not the Death Penalty.