AP reports that "A judge welcomed a former fugitive back to her courtroom with balloons, streamers and a cake before sentencing him to life in prison."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6339240/
Update: Judge defends courtroom party for prisoner
Getting a criminal off the street is reason to celebrate.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/10/27/judge.prison.sendoff.ap/index.html
Jack Chin