LIFE WITH FATHER

Nice timing:

Mass murderer Bruce Johnston has been sentenced for his crimes--just as Orion is readying the movie of his violent exploits, “At Close Range,” for an April 11 release.

Johnston (Christopher Walken in the film) led a burglary ring operating in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware that included his teen-age son (Sean Penn) and his son’s friends. When it appeared that the kiddie gang was about to turn state’s evidence against him, he put out contracts on their lives. Johnston was eventually convicted of murdering six people, including his stepson--and of an attempt on his son’s life.

Because of legal delays after his 1980 conviction, Johnston was not formally sentenced until last week . He got six consecutive life terms (his crimes occurred before the state had a death penalty). He said he will appeal.