What you know from reading this opinion is that Russell McAllister was sentenced to 75 years in prison for first-degree murder of another inmate at High Desert State Prison, plus another 12 years for carrying the shank. So, essentially, the rest of his life in prison.
What you don't know, but what's easily discovered, is that McAllister was sent to prison in the first place for attempted murder. Then, while in prison, convicted of threatening to kill the district attorney who prosecuted. Then, also while in prison, attempting to kill another inmate. All of this before the present offense, in which he appears to be the first time he successfully killed someone.
The guy is clearly feeling at home in prison. Maybe he, uh, I don't know, shouldn't be let out in the yard that much at this point?
Why does the Court of Appeal partially remand the case back to the trial court? Because it potentially improperly imposed two different fines -- one for $5,000, and another for $300 -- instead of a single fine.
As if that really practically matters here.
