Exclusive: Golden State Killer suspect DeAngelo could plead guilty, avoid death penalty

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. I agree

For a reason most people don't mention. The death penalty process is incredibly expensive, usually more expensive than just incarcerating the murderer in the general population. Having the death penalty on the table drags out the initial trial. Criminals who get the death penalty get an automatic appeal, and the average time of incarceration through the appeals process is 16 YEARS. Maintaining a death row, with extra guards, is expensive. It simply makes no sense to me when a life sentence with no chance of parole is its own special kind of hell.