I found an article[1] which apparently relates to this hitman (even if it's not my doubt doesn't depend on this specific person). So is this how it works? A murderer can strike a "deal" with the state and the judge can do jackshit about it?

And what is that deal? That you make us work less to prove your did the crime and you just confess and we will give you ¼ or ½ or hell one tenth of the sentence?

[1] https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/crime/2016/03/30/...