to life in prison with or without parole or subject to the death penalty.
Plea bargains can be strange things, especially if you're not a minority and/or you have money. Lots of doors are open fairly wide. Wasn't one of the Kennedys tried for the killing of a neighbor in juvenile court because the crime was committed when he was a minor? The parents may not be personally rich; but, to save their little boo from a life sentence or possible death penalty, they may call in all favors and pull out all the stops.