California execution costs top $308 million each

The study, conducted by a senior judge and a law professor, determined California taxpayers have spent $4 billion since capital punishment was reinstated and estimates the cost to maintain the death penalty will jump to $9 billion by 2030 when the number of inmates awaiting execution at San Quentin will have increased to more than 1,000.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday the study's authors examined state, local and federal expenditures for capital cases in a three-year period. The study's authors are 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Arthur L. Alarcon and Loyola Law School Professor Paula M. Mitchell.

The study's authors also said of 92 death row inmates who died since 1978, only 13 were executed in California. One was executed in Missouri, 54 died of natural causes, 18 committed suicide and six others died from inmate violence or other causes.

Endless appeals can drag a death penalty case out for years, adding to the cost.

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