anotheoldgit
I'm sure we all agree with you that these are truly vile, evil men.
However, I don't think anyone can honestly say that they should've been given a mandatory life sentence, because rape doesn't actually HAVE a mandatory life sentence.
So, let's get back onto the (very well) beaten track - in answer to your original question - it would be great if they had been given longer sentences, but not life. Pre-meditated murder should carry a life sentence, but not rape.
If rape carried a life sentence, rapists would figure "Well...may as well kill her..."