Rachel Widrig answers “Why is she serving two life sentences if...”

Eva asked this question about The Mars Room:

Why is she serving two life sentences if she only killed one person?

Rachel Widrig She basically had no chance in the legal system because of her past, and if the judge wants to keep you in prison forever (Romy does not appear to be …moreShe basically had no chance in the legal system because of her past, and if the judge wants to keep you in prison forever (Romy does not appear to be an upstanding citizen, so convincing the court that she deserves to be punished harshly would most likely be easy for a prosecutor) two life sentences is the way to go. I think the whole point is that Romy is a victim of consecutive damning circumstances, and in my opinion that motif is what the book illustrates incredibly well. (less)

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