On the contrary, the 'right-on brigade' believe in justice and doing the right thing without recourse to ignorance and prejudice.
From the facts presented I can't see any justification in reducing their tariffs, but then, like others here on AB, I don't have access to all the facts.
Of course, just because they 'could' be released from prison in 2016/2017 doesn't mean they will be.
Obviously the State paid for the Appeal - it's the State's judicial system!
Which is one of the measures by which we judge any State's level of civilisation.
I expect they would have been more harshly treated (as some ABers would no doubt wish) in China, North Korea, Russia or Saudi Arabia.
Draw your own conclusions.