Cost of the death penalty in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In the state of Wyoming there’s only been one person executed dating back to 1976.

Wyoming Conservatives concerned about the Death Penalty along with the American Constitution Society, held an online conversation about the death penalty in the Cowboy State.

“We have some good statistics on whether its 1 or 2 counties out of Wyoming, who actually seek the death penalty, but it cost money every year. Right now we have no active death penalty cases,” Wyoming State Public Defender, Diane Lozano said.

On Friday evening, Wyoming State Public Defenders and other state representatives discussed the statistics surrounding the death penalty and who is impacted by the death penalty.

The group discusses a range of issues involving the state’s death penalty, including why it costs taxpayers so much money even when there is no one on death row.

Colorado State Public Defender, Tamara Brady who handled the Aurora movie theater mass shooting case in which jurors decided against the death penalty because of the defendant’s mental illness.

“Fifty years ago we thought the death penalty was okay, perhaps are status of decency has evolved and we no longer need the death penalty.”