On Friday, a federal judge tossed out two life sentences without parole for Lee Boyd Malvo. Malvo was one of two gunman convicted in the “D.C. Sniper” shooting cases in 2002.

As reported by the Associated Press, in his ruling, U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson in Norfolk said Malvo is entitled to new sentencing hearings after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional. Malvo was 17 when he was arrested in 2002 for a series of shootings that killed 10 people and wounded three over a three-week span in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, causing widespread fear throughout the region. Malvo has argued that his accomplice, John Allen Muhammad, then 42, sought Malvo out and “molded” him into partaking in the heinous killing binge.

Malvo’s first trial took place in Chesapeake. Malvo was convicted of capital murder for the slaying of FBI analyst Linda Franklin, who was shot in the head outside a Home Depot store. Under Virginia law, a capital murder conviction requires either a death sentence or life without parole. Prosecutors sought a death sentence, but a jury opted for life in prison.

Muhammad was executed in 2009. Malvo has been serving his sentence at Red Onion State Prison in southwest Virginia. 

Red Onion State Prison is a “super max” facility. Meaning two -thirds of the prisoners are held in solitary confinement, alone 23 hours per day, in 7 by 12 feet cells with slats for light. Most of those prisoners are black. 

It's safe to say that Malvo was brainwashed by the much older Muhammad, but he also knew the difference between right and wrong. How do you all feel about his sentencing? Let us know in the comments below.