I heard on the radio today that the jury for Malvo recommended life imprisonment without parole. They did not impose the death penalty. Several times, the broadcaster indicated that this may have had something to do with the timing of the verdict, that capital cases tried over the week of Christmas tend not to do as well and penalties imposed are generally less harsh.

Why is it that it has to be the week of Christmas for a jury to revere life and choose to be compassionate? Why can we not act with such thoughts on our mind every day throughout the year?