What were the Palmer Raids?

The Palmer Raids were the attempts instituted by the United States Department of Justice to arrest and subsequently deport radical leftists, primarily those who believed and spread anarchy towards the United States government. The Palmer Raids and subsequent arrests took place in November of 1919 and January of 1920 under the leadership of Mitchell Palmer, the acting Attorney General of the United States government.

Although more than 500 foreign-born citizens were eventually deported (including a number of prominent leftist leaders) as a result of the Palmer Raids, the overall efforts of the program were largely impeded by officials at the United States Department of Labor—the formal agency who maintained authority to exercise and initiate deportations. The agents aligned with United States Department of Labor, in response to the Palmer Raids, widely objected Palmer’s methods and blatant disregard for the legal process.

The Palmer Raids took place in response to the Red Scare—the domestic term, which referred to the fear and general reaction against political radicals in the United States of America during the years that followed World War I.

What Lead to the Palmer Raids?

During the First World War, the United States witnessed a widespread campaign against divided loyalties on part of immigrants and various ethnic groups within the United States. The threat of this ideology became tangible when anarchist bombings took place in April and June of 191. At the end of April, nearly 30 terrorist letter bombs were mailed to various government officials and businessmen throughout the United States.  Furthermore, on June 2, 1919, a number of bombs were detonated by anarchists in eight American cities; the bombs had little effect, but one detonation damaged the home of Attorney General Mitchell Palmer.

 Although only a few reached their targets and only a few government officials suffered injuries, the underlying motivation of the violent actions proved to be a severe threat towards the sanctity and general function of the United States’ Federal government.

Raids and Arrests:

Palmer eventually established relationships with numerous officials aligned with the labor Department. Through his efforts, Palmer’s budget was increased and the ability to raid private homes was strengthened—the officials of the Labor Department previously required probable cause to receive a warrant and then subsequent proof to initiate a deportation order.

While working with the Department of Labor, Palmer organized coordinated raids against the Union of Russian Workers and received an injunction to prevent a strike against the coal industry, which was instituted by the United Mine Workers. Along with the local police, the Palmer Raids were first enacted on November 7th, 1919 and initiated against various Russian workers in 12 American cities. Newspaper accounts reported that some of these targeted individuals were badly beaten during the arrests. The Palmer Raids were poorly administered for a wide net was cast on the general population—numerous American citizens, teachers and passers-by were deemed to be radicals. In total, the arrests far exceeded the number of warrants.

On December 21, the Buford left New York Harbor with a total of 249 deportees. The Palmer Raids continued into the New Year in a more systemized approach—mini-raids took place throughout the nation, which eventually precipitated an ideological battle between palmer and various members of the Federal government and Congress.

Who is Thomas Hewitt?

Thomas Hewitt is a fictional character who is widely known for his nickname ‘Leatherface’, which is an alias given to Thomas Hewitt as a result of the mask with which he adorns himself. Thomas Hewitt – or Leatherface – is perhaps most noteworthy for his character portrayal in both the comic book and full length cinema feature The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. However, despite the fictitious portrayal – in addition to the fictitious crimes undertaken by Thomas Hewitt – the character known as Leatherface was considered to be directly influenced by Ed Gein. Ed Gein, whose crimes do mirror that of Thomas Hewitt, was charged with murder, illegally-exhuming corpses from local graveyards, necrophilia, and the mutilation of corpses.

Ed Gein vs. Thomas Hewitt

Although Thomas Hewitt is portrayed a raving and murderous individual who resides alongside his family – also described to be murderers, Ed Gein was reported as a silent and solitary man who lived in his family’s barn with his mother until her death in 1945; subsequent to her death, Ed Gein began illegally exhuming corpses and fashioning furniture and other household appliances out of them – in addition, Ed Gein also fashion clothing out of human skin in a similar fashion as Thomas Hewitt. However, upon his arrest and conviction, Ed Gein was determined to be criminally insane and sentenced to remain in the custody of a mental institution for the criminally insane in Mendota, Wisconsin; Gein died in 1984 from pulmonary failure.

What is Roe v. Wade (1973)?

Roe v. Wade is considered to be amongst the most prolific and important cases heard before the Supreme Court. The circumstances and events within the proceedings of Roe v. Wade determined the legality of the abortion process, which is considered to be the medical procedure in which the pregnancy with regard to an unborn fetus is terminated; the plaintiff Jane Roe – which was a pseudonym granted to her in order to allow her to maintain her anonymity – maintained that the laws forbidding abortion instituted in the State of Texas were in direct violation of the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

The Case Profile of Roe v. Wade

The following is a case profile of the legal trial eponymously titled ‘Roe v. Wade’:

Date of the Trial: 1973

Legal Classification: Family Law; Family Law provides for the legal review in which applicable legislature and legal procedure with regard to family law takes place; this type of legislation may include any or all legal events, classifications, and legislative statutes identified as a result of the undertakings, as well as the involvement of family members in a familial setting

United States Reports Case Number: 410 U.S. 113

Date of the Delivery of the Verdict: January 22nd, 1973

Legal Venue: The Supreme Court of the United States

Judicial Officer Responsible for Ruling: Chief Justice Warren Burger

Involved Parties: The following are the parties named with regard to their involvement in the Roe v. Wade case:

Jane Roe – a pseudonym given to the plaintiff Norma McCorvey – was a pregnant woman residing in the with State of Texas who desired to terminate her pregnancy and was denied as per Texas abortion laws

Henry Wade – named as the defendant – was a Texas lawmaker who was responsible for the enactment of the legal statutes, which deemed abortions to be illegal within the State of Texas

Verdict Delivered: The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jane Roe; 4 Justices approved of the ruling, 2 Justices simply concurred with the ruling, and 2 Justices opposed the ruling

Associated Legislation with regard to Roe v. Wade: The following statutory regulations were employed with regard to the Roe v. Wade trial:

1st Amendment to the Constitution; this Amendment affords citizens of the United States with the freedom of religion, the freedom of press, the freedom of speech, and the right of assembly

4th Amendment to the Constitution; this Amendment prohibits the unlawful search and seizure of resident belonging to citizens of the United States of America in addition to the provision of  rights of privacy entitled to citizens of the United States

5th Amendment to the Constitution; this Amendment addresses the modern incarnation of the ‘Right to remain silent’, in addition to the prevention of the unlawful and unethical abuse of power undertaken by a governing body

9th Amendment to the Constitution; this Amendment disallows for the violation of civil liberties and unlawful expansion of governmental power

14th Amendment to the Constitution; this Amendment ensures that all citizens of the United States are to be afforded the provision of equal rights and protection

Salem Witch Trials Fact #1: What were the Salem Witch Trials?

The Salem Witch Trials occurred within the New England town of Salem, Massachusetts over a period a year; Salem Witch Trials Facts date these trials to have occurred between February of 1692 and May of 1693. The Salem Witch Trials involved the unlawful and unethical prosecution of individuals accused of participating and engaging in witchcraft; subsequent to the illness suffered by a number of children with the community of Salem, that illness was believed to be a direct result of the practicing of witchcraft; this resulted in the accusation of many individuals with regard to their presumed – albeit unfounded – participation in witchcraft and ‘Dark Arts’. In addition to witchcraft, the notion of the ‘Dark Arts’ is considered to be a catchall term describing any actions or spiritual activity believed to be Satanic – or occult – in nature.

Salem Witch Trials Fact #2: How were the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials Selected?

A vast array of Salem Witch Trials Facts presented by historians suggests that the nature of the selection process within the Salem Witch Trials varied. Initially, the victims were assumed to be viewed as nuisances and outcasts with regard to the community of Salem; however, subsequent to the accusation set forth with regard to certain individuals perceived to be longstanding and contributory members of the Salem community, that theory was soon abolished. In conjunction to the proceedings of the Salem Witch Trials, events that had taken place within the community were perceived to be the direct result of the practice of witchcraft; these included:

The communities supply of rye being subject to corrosion

Reports stating that the accused had appeared in the form of spirits or ghosts before other members of the community

Children of the community acting in presumably strange manners, which included uncontrollable fits and illness

Salem Witch Trials Fact #3: Who were the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials?

Salem Witch Trials Facts set forth by historians list the victims of these illicit proceedings to number a total of 19 individuals who were sentenced to death as a result of their assumed involvement in witchcraft; in addition, the total number of individuals who were wrongfully imprisoned has not been determined. Within the victims of the Salem Witch Trials, Salem Witch Trials Facts express that both men and women were victimized by these trials; some of the victims included:

Tituba; a house worker in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris

Sarah Good; a house worker in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris

Sarah Osborne; a house worker in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris

Rebecca Nurse; a well-respected member of the Salem community

Martha Corey; a well-respected member of the Salem community

Salem Witch Trials Fact #4: What Evidence Was Used to Convict the Accused?

Due to the fact that mass hysteria – in lieu of substantial and founded evidence – was employed by the accusers and legal officials presiding of the Salem Witch Trials, Salem Witch Trials Facts presented by historians suggest that a nature of presumed, unfounded, and spurious evidence titled ‘Spectral Evidence’ was used to provide a nature of proof of the accused participation in witchcraft. Spectral Evidence merely acted as subjected and improvable heresy with regard to any or all presumed participation.

What were the Salem Witch Trials?

The Salem Witch Trials were a series of ongoing criminal trials and investigations that took place between the months of February of 1662 and May of 1663 in Salem, Massachusetts – a small Massachusetts town in New England. Within the proceedings of the Salem Witch Trials, a total of 19 men and women were sentenced to death for their alleged participation in witchcraft and the ‘dark arts’; the dark arts were considered to be activity that was both occult and Satanic in nature. In modernity, historians cite the Salem Witch Trials as amongst the most corrupt and unethical legal proceedings to have taken place within the boundaries of the United States; however, at the time of the Salem Witch Trials, the concept of the United States had not yet been developed – the area now considered to be the United States was merely referred to as ‘The British Colonies’.

What is Spectral Evidence?

With regard to the Salem Witch Trials, spectral evidence is regarded as presumed and alleged evidence citing the presence of spirits considered to be notorious, evil, and harmful in nature; due to the implicit difficulty in facilitating tangible evidence of one’s involvement within such activities, the notion of spectral evidence became a standard legal instrument in conjunction with determining an individual’s association with witchcraft and the dark arts. Although the use of spectral evidence was widely used within the Salem Witch Trials, certain reverends residing in Salem had adamantly disputed the substantiality of the use of evidence spectral in nature:

Reverend Cotton Mather, who was a primary opposing force of the use of spectral evidence urged the court system of Salem to abstain from admitting such evidence into their respective trials; this was due to the fact that spectral evidence was considered to be both subjective and unfounded in nature

In addition, a variety of advocates for the victims convicted of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials maintained that the use of spectral evidence could substantiate proof for any event or circumstance in lieu of the presentation of concrete and tangible evidence

The Victims Salem Witch Trials

Prior to the cessation of the Salem Witch Trials in May of 1664, a number of individuals had been incarcerated due to their respective – albeit assumed – participation in witchcraft; furthermore, 19 individuals had been killed as a result of capital punishment upon their respective conviction of witchcraft. The victims of the Salem Witch Trials were primarily assumed to be chosen as a result of their view in the eyes of the community of Salem:

The initial victims, such as house workers named Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne were presumably accused as a result of their presumed – and unfounded – roles as heretics within the community of Salem

Eventual victims of the Salem Witch Trials, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, were considered to be longstanding, well-respected members of the community; as a result, theories began to form with regard to a conspiratorial nature of the convictions with the intent of repossessing land, property, and possessions

Who is Sirhan Sirhan?

Sirhan Sirhan, born Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, is a Palestinian-born individual who was convicted of the murder of Robert F. Kennedy – a Senator of the State of Massachusetts. Sirhan Sirhan was 23 years of age when he assassinated Robert F. Kennedy in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California; Kennedy was shot after he had completed a speech given to supporters – Sirhan Sirhan shot Kennedy 4 times, 3 of the bullets hit Kennedey directly, while the fourth punctured Kennedy’s suit jacket. In addition, 5 individuals were injured by shots fired by Sirhan Sirhan; subsequent to the shooting, Sirhan Sirhan was subdued and arrested:

Sirhan Sirhan was born in Palestine, but had emigrated to the United States with his family; they had resided both in New York and California

Sirhan Sirhan’s defense team attempted to enter an insanity plea with regard to the motives of the assassination, but upon discovery of journals kept by Sirhan Sirhan, the presiding Justice deemed Sirhan Sirhan to be of sound mind

The Case Profile of Sirhan Sirhan

The following is a case profile of both the crimes of Sirhan Sirhan, as well as a legal classification of statutory legislation associated with the case:

Date of Birth: Sirhan Sirhan was born on March 19th, 1944

Residence: At the time of the murder, Sirhan Sirhan lived in Arcadia, California

Date of the Crime: June 4th, 1968

Criminal Charges: Assasination; 1st degree murder of a public official, as well as the attempted 2nd Degree murders of 5 other individuals – although the killing took place with malice of forethought, deliberation, and planning, the injured victims were not presumed to be intended targets

Legal Classification: Criminal Law; this legal field is defined as the analysis, regulation, and oversight of crimes committed against what is perceived to the ‘General Public’ – in addition, this case retained themes of Administrative Law resulting from Robert Kennedy’s position as a United States Senator

Date of the Trial: February 10th, 1969 to April 17th, 1969

Legal Venue: The Superior Court of the State of California

Victims:  Sirhan Sirhan was charged for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy

Associated Legislation and Statues with regard to the Sirhan Sirhan Case: The following statutory regulations were employed with regard to the Sirhan Sirhan trial:

Sirhan Sirhan was assumed to have assassinated Robert Kennedy as a direct result of Kennedy’s support for the State of Israel during the Six Day War; this war was fought between Israel and Jordan, Syria, and Egypt – as a Palestinian citizen, Sirhan Sirhan opposed the support expressed for the State of Israel

Verdict Delivered: On April 17th, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was found guilty of the murder of Robert F. Kennedy

Punishment and Conviction: Sirhan Sirhan was sentenced to execution; he was sentenced to be executed by gas chamber. Although sentenced to death, Sirhan Sirhan is currently 66 years of age and incarcerated in Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California; he has applied for parole a number of times and has been summarily denied – his most recent parole denial took place on March 2nd, 2011

Who was Ted Bundy?

Ted Bundy was amongst the most prolific and notorious serial killers to exist within the United States; while undertaking a murderous rampage spanning almost a decade – in addition to 6 individual States – a finalized determination of Ted Bundy’s Victims has yet to be set forth. Law enforcement agents suggest that Ted Bundy’s Victims may span from 25 to 115 individuals. Subsequent to his conviction, Ted Bundy was sentenced to death in the Starke Correctional Institution in the State of Florida; he was executed by electrocution on January 24th, 1989.

Who was a Ted Bundy Victim?

A Ted Bundy Victim is classified as females ranging between the ages of 20 and 25; typically, a Ted Bundy Victim was enrolled within a local college or university; the following is a list of Ted Bundy’s victims:

Joni Lenz – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1974)

Linda Ann Healy – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Donna Gail Manson – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Susan Elaine Rancourt – – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Roberta Parks – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Brenda Ball – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Georgeann Hawkins – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Nancy Wilcox — Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Melissa Smith – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Laura Aime – Ted Bundy Victim; assault and abduction (1974)

Carol DaRonch – Ted Bundy Victim; assault and abduction (1974)

Debra Kent – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Janice Ott – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Denise Naslund – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1974)

Caryn Campbell – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1975)

Julie Cunningham – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1975)

Denise Oliverson – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1975)

Lynette Culver – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1975)

Susan Curtis – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1975)

Lisa Levy – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1978)

Margaret Bowman – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1978)

Karen Chandler – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1978)

Kathy Kleiner – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1978)

Cheryl Thomas – Ted Bundy Victim; assault (1978)

Kimberly Leach – Ted Bundy Victim; murder (1978)

Who is Ted Bundy?

Ted Bundy, who was born as Theodore Robert Cowell, was a serial murderer who was convicted of the murder, rape, and kidnapping of his victims; Ted Bundy’s murderous spree lasted approximately 10 years from its inception until his arrest in the State of Florida. Although Ted Bundy had confessed to approximately 30 murders, reports have been issued citing Ted Bundy’s guilt in murders ranging from 26 to 115 in number.

Ted Bundy Profile

The following outlines the life and crimes of Ted Bundy

Date of Birth: Ted Bundy was born on November 24th, 1946 in Burlington, Vermont; he executed by the State of Florida on January 24th, 1989

Residence: Ted Bundy is recorded as changing locations and residences with regard to the location of the murders that he had committed; typically, Ted Bundy would target females enrolled in local colleges and universities located in the area of his residence – his residences have included between 5 and 6 States

Year of First Killing: Due to the heinous nature of his crimes, as well as his methods of the disposal of his victims, there has never been an official determination as to the year in which Ted Bundy’s first murder had taken place; currently, 1974 is considered to be the most accurate year in which his murders began – this involved an 18 year old female student at the University of Washington on January 4th, 1974

Year of Apprehension: On February 15th, 1978, Ted Bundy was arrested in the State of Florida subsequent to him traveling in his vehicle and undergoing a traffic stop by a Florida State Trooper; upon investigating the make and model of the vehicle, Ted Bundy’s care was reported as being stolen – after a briefly resisting physical apprehension, Ted Bundy was placed under arrest

Notable Details and Personal Information: The following personal details have been considered to be contributory to the behavior and criminal actions undertaken by Ted Bundy; in addition, these case details were made mention within Ted Bundy’s criminal trial:

Prior to his execution, Ted Bundy’s lawyer had mentioned that Ted Bundy may have been responsible for an abduction offense possibly occurring in 1969; however, this was never proven

Ted Bundy’s psychological assessment performed by a court psychiatrist had attributed depression, psychotic episodes, and rage to be the primary facilitators of his crimes; Ted Bundy had expressed that his grandparents – individuals who were responsible for his caretaking – were emotionally abusive

Locations of the Murders: Ted Bundy confessed to murders taking place in Washington State, Florida, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado

Victims:  Ted Bundy was charged for the murder of 12 murders; however, he has been linked to as many as 115 murders

Status as a Serial Killer: Ted Bundy is classified as a serial killer due to the fact that Ted Bundy was convicted of the murder of 3 or more individuals within the duration of a single month

Nature of Victims: Ted Bundy’s victims were classified as females, who ranged in age; his primary victims were female students enrolled in local universities

Punishment and Conviction: On February 7th, 1980, Ted Bundy was sentenced to life imprisonment – as well as the death penalty – to be served in the Starke Correctional Facility, which resides in the State of Florida; he was executed by electrocution on January 24th, 1989

Who is Jared Loughner?

Jared Loughner is an individual who is currently incarcerated and awaiting trial for his involvement in the shootings that took place in the State of Arizona in January of 2011. Jared Loughner’s murderous spree occurring that day was responsible for the murder of 6 individuals, which included a Chief Justice of the Arizona State Court; in addition, Jared Loughner is accused of the attempted murder and injury of 14 other individuals – the attacks occurred at a Safeway Supermarket in Phoenix, Arizona:

Jared Loughner undertook his murderous actions at a rally being held by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a rally held for her constituents; Jared Loughner presumably attended this rally with the intention of assassinating Congresswoman Giffords

Although Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded upon sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, Gabrielle Giffords was not killed; as of March of 2011, she continues to recover – her physicians expect her to fully recover

The Case Profile of Jared Loughner

The following is a case profile of both the crimes of Jared Loughner, as well as a legal classification of statutory legislation associated with the case:

Date of Birth: Jared Loughner was born on September 10th, 1988

Residence: Tucson, Arizona

Date of the Crime: January 8th, 2011

Legal Classification: Criminal Law and Administrative Law

Criminal Law; this legal field is defined as the analysis, regulation, and oversight of crimes committed against what is perceived to the ‘General Public’; in contrast to Civil Law, in which crimes are considered to be non-violent and specific to their targeted victim, Criminal cases typically include criminal activity presumed to compromise the safety of the public and public authority

Administrative Law – due to the fact that Congresswoman Giffords was an elected official; this legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard

Date of the Trial: On March 9th, 2011, Jared Loughner pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all 49 charges for which he was indicted; these include murder, attempted murder, and the attack on a public official

Notable Details and Personal Information: The following personal details have been considered to be contributory to the behavior and criminal actions undertaken by Jared Loughner; in addition, these case details were made mention within Jared Loughner’s criminal trial:

Jared Loughner was removed from enrollment in Pima Community College as a result of his professors and fellow classmates entered a variety of complaints with regard to his behavior; Jared Loughner was not permitted to return to classes until he underwent psychiatric evaluation

Jared Loughner is reported as having purchased the .44 caliber firearm used in the shootings at a Walmart store; the failure of Walmart to conduct what were believed to be sufficient background checks on the part of anti-gun lobbyists was publicized subsequent to the investigation of the shootings

Victims:  Jared Loughner was charged for the murder of 6 individuals; however, he is accused injuring 14 victims

Criminal Status: Jared Loughner is classified as a mass murderer; this is due to the fact he killed 4 or more people in the midst of a single criminal act

Who is Joel Rifkin?

Joel Rifkin is a convicted serial killer to whom 9 murders were attributed over the course of his murderous spree, which lasted for approximately 4 years; due to the nature of his crimes – in addition to the number of his victims – many consider Joel Rifkin to be amongst the most prolific and dangerous serial killers to exist within the State of New York.

Joel Rifkin Profile

The following outlines the crimes of Joel Rifkin

Date of Birth: Joel Rifkin was born on January 20th, 1959

Residence: East Meadow, New York

Year of First Killing: 1989; Joel Rifkin was convicted of murder a prostitute and disposing of her remains in the East River in Manhattan, New York

Year of Apprehension: 1993; Joel Rifkin was apprehended on the Southern State Parkway, which is a highway on Long Island, New York – upon investigation, the apprehending officers discovered the remains of a prostitute that he had murdered in the trunk of his car

Notable Details and Personal Information: The following personal details have been considered to be contributory to the behavior and criminal actions undertaken by Joel Rifkin; in addition, these case details were made mention within Joel Rifkin’s criminal trial:

Joel Rifkin was adopted by 2 parents; in 1987, Joel Rifkin’s father took his own life – in his trial, this fact was considered to be a catalyst for Joel Rifkin’s violent tendencies and emotional disorder

Joel Rifkin was reported to suffer from dyslexia, resulting in his possession of a 128 IQ score; these factors were considered to contribute to his difficulty in school as a child

Locations of the Murders: Joel Rifkin’s murders took place within the State of New York; oftentimes, Joel Rifkin would solicit prostitutes in Manhattan, New York and dispose of their bodies in the surrounding areas of New York and Connecticut

Victims:  Joel Rifkin was charged for the murder of 9 victims; however, he has been linked to as many as 17 victims

Status as a Serial Killer: Joel Rifkin is classified as a serial killer due to the fact that Joel Rifkin was convicted of the murder of 3 or more individuals within the duration of a single month

Nature of Victims: Joel Rifkin’s victims were classified as female prostitutes; many of whom were reported to be suffering from substance abuse and poverty – many of his victims ranged between the ages of 20 and 30

Punishment and Conviction: In 1994, Joel Rifkin – who was represented by John Lawrence – was convicted of murdering 9 individuals and sentenced to life incarceration within the Attica Correctional Facility in the State of New York; although he is eligible for parole in the year 2197, his sentence is considered to be a ‘natural life’ sentence in prison.