On Sun, 19 Jul 2015 09:35:29 -0400, Kurt Ullman
wrote:

I sense there is a bit of symbolism involved, but
not much practical value.

Depends a little on the jurisdiction and sentencing guidelines. In some
areas "life" can mean you are eligible for parole after a certain amount
of time. Two life sentences (especially if they are to run
consecutively) doubles the amount of time. Others may be because if one
is overturned, you can keep the person incarcerated on the other while
sorting out the first one. Finally, it can be more or less a political
decision where they have multiple victims and all families wants someone
to officially go down for their person's murder.

Some crooks are prosecuted in dual jurisdictions. A guy was convicted
in federal court for murdering his sister, BIL and niece on a federal
reservation. IIRC he got 3 consecutive life, plus some. Texas also
convicted him in state court. They had a detainer on him. When he
finishes his fed time, he has to go to Texas and serve ~ 185 (?)
years.