Life=80 years (or did according to DOC). Most of the people that fell under that directive have been in prison for 30(ish) years. They got FIFTY years off for "good" behavior???

This state supreme court decision will likely be overturned in federal court. The federal court judges are not elected but are distinguished professionals appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They make rulings based on the rule of law and not on public opinion. North Carolina has changed the rules after the fact and the federal courts will likely acknowledge North Carolina to be in violation of ex post facto and likely order the release of the inmates.

"The undisputed record reflects that Jones has fully served his term of imprisonment and is thereby entitled to immediate, unconditional release. The decision to the contrary offends all notions of fundamental fairness," Timmons-Goodson wrote.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Department of Corrections policy is NOT law? If you're sentenced to life in prison then as far as I'm concerned, you get out when you stop breathing and not before. I do call this a victory because there are dozens of inmates that are still in prison!

Got a question for all of you so happy with this decision...how many convicted killers currently live in your neighborhood? Bet you'll never know unless you really do your research. There are many people walking the streets everyday after committing heinous and malicious crimes, they make a plea bargain and their life sentence becomes 5-10 years. And then they are our in 3 years. Yes, it happens EVERY day!!!! So I'm sorry to say, but this is no true "victory".

By the way, I feel that the courts got it wrong in may wreckless vehicular homicides....they knew better (passing stopped school buses or driving way too fast) killed another child or their friends, and got a slap on the wrist. I'm more afraid of them than these inmate because they may do it again. They never learn their lesson!!!!!

God forgives, I don't have to. Laws should not have loop-holes and killers should "NEVER" be released back into society. The judges that interpreted the law to release these killers should resign and take up something they might be good at.

Can't ya just hear an appeal to the US Supreme Court now?? More tax payer money down the drain. They're in prison and STILL costing us more money.

These are probably the same judges that told us the inmates have a right to cable TV and air conditioning and better yet, a humane method of execution.

gregg45 -

Forgiveness isn't about an absence of consequences. A lot of people get that confused.

Just ask the inmates. Not a single one will admit they are guilty.

"N.C. is slow to execute"

Good thing, too. Just ask Alan Gell and Daniel Taylor...two innocent men on death row.

I have no qualms about people staying in prison vs execution. Execute 'em and they're out of it, no longer having to live with what they've done and live without drawing a breath of freedom. Execution is the easy way out for a killer. I want them to live with what they've done, just as the victim's family must live with what was done.

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