so what? that still doesn't mean that life in prison is the same as suicide.

Correct. I'm asserting life in prison and a death sentence are functionally identical.

Both can be ended via suicide, if the inmate so chooses.

Death sentence is often seen as better because you might get an individual cell, and copious pro bono appeals for your case.

He won’t get a death penalty for the charges which have been announced so far. Those which are severe enough to carry a death sentence in many US jurisdictions (like murder) are New York state charges, and NY law hasn’t had a death penalty for two decades now or an execution in roughly 8 decades.

If there somehow end up being Pennsylvania or federal charges against him in connection with the murder, those criminal law systems still have the death penalty.

He does currently face some Pennsylvania charges as well, such as firearms charges in connection with the encounter where he was arrested, but none of those are severe enough to warrant a death sentence.