The World

Give me money or give me death: States weigh banning death penalty to save costs

As the economic downturn hits the states, some governors are considering an unusual cost-cutting measure: abolishing the death penalty. Capital cases cost three times as much as cases where the death penalty is not sought.

Global Politics

As the economic downturn hits the states, some governors are considering an unusual cost-cutting measure: abolishing the death penalty. Since capital cases cost three times as much as cases where the death penalty is not sought, cash-strapped states are increasingly looking at the option. Ian Urbina has been reporting on this for the New York Times and he joins us now.