In what was described as a conditional offer, Kaczynski would accept a sentence described by lawyers as "life in prison without the possibility of release" but would retain the right to appeal certain limited issues, the Times reported. Asked about reports of new plea negotiations, first reported by Newsweek magazine in the issue that is available today, Leesa Brown, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said, "It is the duty of prosecutors to listen to any credible offer by defense counsel at any time. That being said, we are preparing for the competency proceedings this week and the resumption of the trial Jan. 22."