… the state (namely AB-233 funds) are paying for death penalty appeals. Since death row inmates are going to sit in prison regardless, they feel they may as well have an attorney in their corner somewhere working on their behalf. Since they are not entitled to be paroled, they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, including “free” room, board, medical and dental care.
It takes 25-30 years between checking into death row and actually being “executed” (if that day ever comes). It is more likely that they die (of natural causes or disease) on death row.
A fraction of 1% are released due to later being retried and found innocent of the capital crime which landed them on death row in the first place.
Even though these appeals cost CA taxpayers a fortune and CA superior courts have had to make so many cuts in services over recent months (the latest is cutting out court reporters in more than half of courtrooms), CA voters just can’t stomach abolishing the death penalty.
