Swami, I'm still confused about the verdict in the Adam Christenson murder case. Is there any more expolanation why it all took so long? Signed, Flummoxed in Fox Lake
Ah, where to begin, Flum ?
The slaying in 2004 of teen-ager Elizabeth Wilding remains a haunting tragedy for which there likely would have been no respite even had the law worked more efficiently.
The family, especially mom Gigi Willding, is devastated and only long-term professional counseling and maybe a deep personal religious faith can offer any hope for the family to recover its equilibrium. Even with the usual forms of help, the loss of a child under these circumstances is not a defeat from which everyone can recover. Swami wishes only the best to the Willdings.
But here's a fact that adds to the heartache.
Though neither of Elizabeth's parents are likely to be around to see the final act, the chances are unlikely that Christenson will live the rest of his life in prison.
He's going in at age 25 and will serve all 48 years of his sentence. When he gets out., he will be 73. And there is no accommodation in the law to require that he actually serve life.
The prosecution gave up that option when it agreed to an "Alford Plea," a circumlocution of reality that allows the defendant to pretend he might be innocent though he's not, and the prosecution to pretend he's theoretically guilty. While it foregoes the expense and work of a trial, Alford's offer a break mostly to the defendant.
In this case, Christenson and his legal mouthpiece dragged out the case for as long as possible and then admitted, "OK, coppers, you got me."
Actually, Christenson has a good chance of a living a relatively long time AFTER he gets out of prison. According to several analyses, about half the 72-year old males in the United States are expected to die within 13.1 years, while the remainder will live longer. If you get to 80, you have a much higher probability of living to be 100.
The average lifespan of 76 years for U.S. males tilts toward youthful death as a driving factor. Sorry, but it's the way actuarial math works.
Every person who dies before the age of 50 (and there are a lot of those) drives up the likely lifespan for those who make it past 50. There's an inverse proportion to lifespan. If you get to 75 in good health, you have an ever-improving chance of being a centenarian.
Of course, other factors will affect his survival. Prison life is not conducive to long life as a general proposition. Depending on which sort of prison houses Christenson for the next half century, his likelihood of surviving can vary appreciably depending on lots of factors: his propensity for violence inside the joint; giving up smoking and drinking; eating habits; exercise.
On the other hand, some mook in state prison could take an instant dislike to Christensen and take him out with an ice pick. It's been known to happen.
And how big a loss to humanity would that be?
Dear People, Have I been out of the loop too long, or are some of your reporters, smoking some bad dope. You report #3, under The 10 Essentials News from around the globe, March 19, seems a bit miss-wired. Combining the Drew Peterson investigation to the disappearance of Lisa Stebic as his wife is certainly a case of bad reporting and horrible editing. Certainly you can do better. Lee
How dare you say that?!? While we do not agree with what Adam did, those of us who care about him would be forced to endure the same pain that the Willdings have which I am sure they wouldnt wish on anyone. If only your brother or friend would committ such a crime, maybe then you'd realize that your comment is worthless and inhumane. Again, in no way did I excuse in any way what Adam did, its horrible that the Willdings are the victims of his damaged mental state but that doesnt mean the rest of us do not have feelings just because you cannot open your eyes and try to see through anothers point of view.