Yep, we called this in the poll thread. His only hope is proving reversible error in Federal District Court of Appeals. A pardon isn't going to happen IMO.

As to being worse than death, it really depends on his mind set. On one hand, he's still alive, but not free. After a term of institutionalization, it becomes an everyday way of life he might adjust to. Others never adjust, go stir crazy and are always plotting ways to escape and some try to escape periodically. Its drives others insane. He is relatively young, so he may be able to adjust.

Personally, I would rather be alive and in prison than dead, so long as I was not being tortured. In federal prison he can continue his education, read, watch tv, listen to the radio, work, practice hobbies, even use the internet email to message friends and relatives, etc. Plus if he has money sent and/or earns money in prison, he can buy lots of quality of life items to make his stay less unpleasant - http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/flm/FLX_CommList.pdf - Something tells me he is always going to have lots of money in his prison account to buy anything he is allowed.