KILLING THE DEATH PENALTY

New Jersey might become the first state to abolish the death penalty since capital punishment was reinstated 31 years ago.

A special commission appointed by the Legislature a couple of years ago analyzed the benefits of the move. The panel determined that the death penalty costs taxpayers more than paying to incarcerate prisoners for life (probably because New Jersey hasn't executed anyone since 1963).

It also concluded that the death penalty doesn't deter people from committing murders (I beg to differ).

This commission must have its head up its study. And, I wonder just how much it cost taxpayers.