Constitutional Law

Capital Punishment: Cost a Deterrent

While some politicians remain steadfast in their support of the death penalty, others are seeing things differently considering the expense of capital trials.

“We are in such a dire deficit situation, and we need to look at things outside the box to solve our budget problems,” said Carolyn McGuinn, state senator from Kansas. McGuinn, whose state is currently facing a $199 million deficit, estimates that seeking life in prison rather than capital punishment saves $500,000 per trial.

However, a recent study of capital trials in Maryland found that the state can save over $1.9 million each time prosecutors pursue life sentences without parole instead of a death sentence. Backed by this research, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has proposed legislation banning capital punishment in his state.

O’Malley has long opposed the death penalty for religious reasons, but tough fiscal times are making converts out of some longtime supporters of capital punishment, like New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Noting that economic realities are “a valid reason in this era of austerity and tight budgets,” Richardson is rethinking his position. He says that he may sign a bill repealing capital punishment if the New Mexico Senate passes the legislation advanced by the state House last week.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on February 25, 2009 (boomark / email).