All of the chatter about Scott Peterson getting the death penalty needs to be put into perspective. Let's face it, getting the death penalty in California is not a very big deal. Since it was reinstated in 1976, California has only executed 10 prisoners, and they have not executed anyone recently.

Despite having 635 people on Death Row, California's last execution was in January 2002, and that was for a murder committed 22 years prior.

Getting the death penalty in California means a private cell on Death Row, and the knowledge that they will likely never execute you. Peterson will also enjoy mandatory appeals. Had I been Peterson, I would have been lobbying for it.