Since the last six executions in Florida involved inmates who had lingered on death row in excess of 25 years, one must agree capital punishment is inefficient. The fact that we have executed only 7 percent of those sent to death row since capital punishment was reinstated makes it foolish to suggest that capital punishment is a deterrent.
The Legislature simply will not be able to substantially reduce the time within which a convicted capital defendant can seek redress and still provide the due process that citizens expect and the courts require.
Many, particularly the family and friends of the victim, are frustrated that it takes so long for a convicted murderer to finally face justice. They want to see the matter finally resolved. Even they, however, will agree it is better to let the system work in a way to make sure an innocent person is not executed in some rush to execution.
Closure does not require the death penalty.
What the victims' families really want is the harshest sentence available. If the harshest sentence is life without parole, most would find that acceptable. This is evident by the fact more and more states are abandoning capital punishment.
The Legislature should recognize that not only is capital punishment inefficient and ineffective, it is also outrageously expensive. The projected average cost for a life sentence without parole for the last six inmates executed is $1,116,750.
This is determined by multiplying the cost of incarceration per year ($25,071) times the life expectancy of the inmate when he was admitted to death row, totaling the cost of all six inmates and then dividing by six.
Actually executing these inmates cost between $6,121,000 and $25,500,000 each.
Source: Charles Harris, Sun Sentinel, March 18, 2013. Charles M. Harris of Titusville, Senior Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal, was a member of the appellate court from 1989 to 2003.
