Re: 'Life in prison. (?!)'
Well, yes and no.
The punishment would be the same -- but different:
Walker could face life in prison if convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals in Afghanistan, providing support to terrorist organizations and engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban.
[ ... ]
Additional charges, possibly including treason, could be filed if investigation determines that they are warranted, Ashcroft said. A treason charge could bring the death penalty.
Death Row amounts to life in prison, it's just a much shorter life -- barring apeals ad intinitum.
Dan