Two life sentences plus 120 years is a long sentence even for Cobb County, the conservative suburban stronghold northwest of Atlanta where judicial candidates succeed when they run on “lock ’em up” rhetoric. But the facts of the case explain it.

The conviction was rape. Of a 4-year-old child. Repeatedly over two years. It finally stopped because she worked up the courage to tell, when she was 5. She had to face him in court and testify against him, clutching a toy stuffed animal.