Fair enough, Olrun.  But let's also factor into the fairness equation the lives of two fine individuals that are no longer with us due to careless, reckless, and selfish people that saw fit to disregard the life of another human being as worthless, then killed them and scurried away like rats and left them for dead, trying to somehow save their own hide or at least botch some evidence.  If that is not 'compelling' then I am not sure what would be.  The judge is not bound to much of anything as far as decisions go and, for my part, I have always been under the impression that is exactly why they are referred to as a 'judge' and not a 'referee'.