What does it mean when an appeals court stays a conviction of life in prison?

Question

What does it mean when an appeals court stays a conviction of life in prison?

Answer

Difficult to interpret based on limited information provided because court's statement depends on circumstances of where or what the court was addressing. It may be discussing an action of the trial court or an argument of counsel on the appeal. If it is stating its decision on the appeal it maybe indicating that it is their ruling on the appeal that a certain part of the sentence is stayed for a number of different reasons. The effect is that the sentence for life in prison will not be enforced.