Capital Punishment Fans

[c172]

A number of states, I think most recently New Mexico, have abolished the death penalty simply because it is too expensive. Not the best reason in the world but I'll take it.

I'm not shilling for the death penalty, but how does expense factor? I would think another 30+ years of three hots and a cot would cost more than the needle and the damage done.*

I think when the two sides are figuring the expense of an execution, one side tends to include the appeals and other related processes as part of that cost. I suppose that's valid, but can't LWOP and other terms be appealed just as hard?

I think of expenses, too, but more related to the method. Here in California, the default is lethal injection, but the gas chamber is still an option.

Problem is, I'm pretty sure the gas chamber is in somewhat of a state of disrepair. So, that would need to be dealt with, either by repairs or a new gas chamber (or somehow retrofitting the current LI chamber for gas). A new gas chamber would cost six digits.

In Belarus, the method is quick and cheap. Arguably scary, but quick and cheap. Bullet to the back of the head.