A study by a California judge and his law clerk, a law professor suggests that the state should do away with the death penalty in order to save money. The state has spent $4 billion on capital punishment since 1978, but has only executed 13 convicts in that span. And costs are projected to increase to $9 billion by 2030.

CNNMoney reports the state, which is suffering a $26 billion budget deficit, is juggling 714 prisoners on death row. The study labels California’s capital punishment system as “a debacle.”

What role do you think costs should play in the capital punishment debate?

One California budget fix: Abolish death row [CNNMoney]

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