SEATTLE — A new study at Seattle University has found death penalty cases in the state cost a million dollars more than similar Washington cases where capital punishment is not sought.
Criminal-justice professor Peter Collins says researchers were not surprised by the results of their seven-month study of the costs associated with the death penalty.
“I don’t know who coined this term, but this is social science supporting common sense,” he told The Seattle Times on Tuesday. “I wasn’t surprised because there was so much anecdotal and other evidence that we’re spending money on these cases.”
The study of 147 aggravated first-degree murder cases filed in Washington state since 1997 quantifies just how much more death penalty cases cost.
Collins and three other professors found the average cost of a death-penalty prosecution and conviction is just over $3 million. Not seeking a death-penalty prosecution and sending a person to prison for life costs the state roughly $2 million.
“We went into it (the study) wanting to remain objective,” Collins said. “This is purely about the economics; whether or not it’s worth the investment is up to the public, the voters of Washington and the people we elected.”
The study was paid for by a grant from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation.
Seattle University School of Law professor Bob Boruchowitz, former head of one of King County’s top public-defense agencies, said the study was thorough and provided in-depth answers.
“What I like about this report is it is very rich in terms of the explanation of why these cases cost so much, and it’s rich in the data presented in a social-science point of view.”
The future of the death penalty in Washington remains unclear. Last February, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on the punishment while he is in office. His term is set to expire at the end of 2016, unless he’s re-elected.
