TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak will testify before the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission tomorrow, arguing that the costs of the death penalty far outweigh its benefits.
“Studies have proven that the financial costs of the death penalty far exceed the costs of incarcerating someone for life,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “But there are less tangible costs that go beyond money – costs to the American ideals of justice and equality. The Study Commission provides the State with an opportunity to fully examine these costs.”
The Commission will meet at 1 p.m. in Committee Room 4 of the State House Annex.
The Death Penalty Study Commission was created by legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner and passed with bipartisan support. The 13-member panel was charged with the mission of assessing the fairness, costs, and value of maintaining capital punishment in the State of New Jersey and issuing a report to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings and recommendations. A moratorium on executions was also put into effect until 60 days after the presentation of the Commission’s report.