There are so many factors that go into sentences that you don't get from media coverage, be it tv or otherwise. There is always the probation report that delves into the background of the individual, the applicable sentences laws in a particular state, victims statements to the court, actual remorse shown by the convicted, character witnesses for the convicted, prosecutorial recommendations, the individual's cooperation with the prosecutor re other suspects, etc. Once all that is completed and before the sentencing judge he has the responsibility of determining what is fairest sentence consistent with the particular philosophy of the Court i.e. do we want to differ would be criminals vs this particular person is remedial.
Some states have mandatory determinative sentences regardless of the above-which can be extremely harsh. A three strike state holds that on the 3rd felony conviction-as in a victimless crime- your sent to prison for a long time for a relative minor 3rd strike violation. Studies show that encourages the 3rd strike felon to make sure there are no victims and witnesses to be around to testify against him or her-something not that difficult with the availability of weapons today-compared to other countries.
