Posted on Fri, Sep. 30, 2005
Court: Neb. went too far on sentencing
KEVIN O'HANLON
Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. - State lawmakers went too far during a 2002 special session when they changed the minimum penalty for first-degree murder to life in prison without parole, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday.

Read the full text article:
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/nation/12784546.htm

Ooops, well, it seems Nebraska law is more complex than meets the eye.

While this columnist says a life sentence can always be commuted by the pardons board, he also points out that the board never commutes life sentences anyway...

For anyone interested, the plot thickens:

Opinion
Ever hear of the Pardons Board?

'Life Without Parole' Doesn't Mean A Killer Cannot Be Released
By ED HOWARD

September 30, 2005

No matter what the Legislature writes into law, it cannot mandate that a convicted murderer will spend life in prison.

Got that?

Full story:
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/30/433d8ff593045