For the most part, there is very little difference between Republican or Democratic judges.  Both tend to give very harsh sentences as that is what they think the voting public wants.  There are probably a few more Democratic judges who might throw out evidence obtained in violation of the 4th amendment.  But Republican judges are more shameless when it comes to favoritism, letting off the kids of rich and connected people, regardless of their crimes.

On a day to day basis, there is almost no difference between GOP or DEM judges (or prosecutors).  On drug cases, slightly more DEMS will opt for rehab and treatment versus prison.  GOP is generally a little more lenient with corporate and white collar criminals.

In the 60's and 70's I think there was a bigger difference, not anymore.  Many Dem judges give basketball score sentences (60 to 80, 40 to 60, 60 to 100) for rape, murder, etc.

Under the Clinton years, America had a huge increase in imprisonemtn rates, and the Clinton crime bill and Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act are as law and order conservative as it gets.

And it seems that an even higher percentage was in the military, at some point in their lives.

One of my current side-projects (i.e., something I'm working on slowly and with not a maximum degree of attention) is building a list of killers with a basic M.O. similar to that of EAR-ONS (i.e., home invasion, rape, and murder) and determining which were in the military, and what branch.  Most of them, thus far, had military experience: Dennis Rader (Air Force), Timothy Krajcir (Navy), "Bedroom Basher" Gerald Parker (an important figure in the context of EAR-ONS, he was a Marine stationed at El Toro in Irvine), and most recently, Col. Russell Williams (Canadian Forces Air Command).

didn't mean this to go on and on, just wanted to point out Rolling had it all:
abuse began before he was born
police officer father: abusive and regimented
milquetoast mom: didn't protect family from father...the origin of intense (unacknowledged) hatred of women??
Christian: worked for, went to, revolved around church. except when he didn't i.e. church members didn't actively help him kill people.
compartmentalized: working girls, crack, grocery store robberies while singing about Christ

started as a neighborhood peeper
found conventionally attractive victim
stalked Julie Grissom; as in checked out her neighborhood
attacked through a green zone into Grissom backyard
wasn't phased by adult male in the home
bound victims in their homes, sexually attacked, killed

There seems a certain pattern in the Serial killer's thinking, that threads it's way into a great number of these creatures. Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, Dennis Rader, just to name a few, detatched themselves from everyone around them. They retreated into their own little fantasy world as they hunted down their victims. During these periods they were predators personified.

They were able to shut the door temperarilly on their killing instincts any time they wished; it seemed. Gary Ridgeway held a steady job as a painter in a factory for over twenty years. Dennis Radar was an animal control officer, and Red Bundy was a promising law student with a brilliant career ahead of him.

I'll wager their home lives were normal, their spouses never suspecting anything. Colin Pitchfork, the first seria killer/rapist and criminal ever to be convicted by DNA evidence held a steady position as a baker in a food factory. His wife went ballistic when he confessed to the crimes.

What I'm trying to get at is their mental ability to shut off the urge to rape and kill at any time they chose. Or, at least keep it in check. This ability fascinates me.