Looters given 15-year terms

Wow, 15 years?!! Isn't that a bit harsh? And for a crime they weren't even able to carry out? And one of the three on trial even has a tear-jerker story about going in to get medicine for his sick mum:

Pearson, who had a clean criminal history, testified he went to the store to get insulin for his ailing mother, who stayed home through the storm and was running low on her medication. Deputies later confirmed Pearson's story and delivered the insulin to his mother, according to testimony.

Released from jail on bond, Little was later hired by the same store she was accused of looting, the store manager testified.

So yeah, 15 years. Crazy.