FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, WeatherThe cost of the death penalty
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The death penalty stirs strong emotions on both sides but what if you just look at the actual cost to taxpayers? Is it cheaper to use the death penalty for punishment or to pay for a killer to live decades behind bars? Most people think they know the right answer to that question but according to reports, most people are wrong.
"Criminals should pay for what they've done," said Rosa Sanjurjo. Rosa has always been in favor of the death penalty. But something is about to change her mind.
Marisa Mendelson, Fox 4 News: Do you think it's cheaper to sentence someone to death or life in prison?
Rosa Sanjurjo: Definitely death.
Mary Ackerman: Probably death penalty.
Bob Lantz: I think it would be cheaper to sentence them to the death penalty.
According to an investigation from the Palm Beach Post, all those people are wrong. That paper's research is now widely quoted and it shows costs around $1 million dollars to keep a killer in prison for life versus $24 million dollars to sentence someone to death. Overall, the research shows Florida taxpayers spend around $51 million dollars a year to enforce the death penalty. So why does it cost so much?
"In Florida, if someone's sentenced to death there's an automatic appeal to the Florida Supreme Court," said criminal defense attorney John Mills. After that, the appeals can still go on and on.
"Taxpayers pay for the prosecution to do it, they pay for the defense to do it, they pay for the judges and clerks, bailiffs, all the courthouse personnel," said Mills.
There are a lot of people who say you can't put a price tag on the death penalty. For example, many people who support the death penalty, no matter what the cost is, are family members of murder victims.
MARISA MENDELSON
mmendelson@fox4now.com
