The governor wants to reinstate the death penalty after several children and police officers were killed this year.But, if Gov. Susana Martinez gets her way, the New Mexico Public Defender's Office says it will cost the state millions of dollars."(It is) just a tremendous investment of time, trauma and money, and for what? We never actually use it," Jeff Buckels, the office's supervising attorney, said.He helped abolish the death penalty in 2009."The numbers on this were all run through the Legislature in 2009, and I'm certain nothing's changed," he said.Buckels says death penalty cases are more expensive because more is at stake, so cases usually take more time, require specialized attorneys and a more extensive jury selection.According to 2009 legislative documents, court administrators said seating a jury typically costs about $8,000, but in a death penalty case, it's closer to $25,000.Buckels also says a lot of convictions are often appealed.He believes life without the possibility of parole is an appropriate alternative: less expensive, and "it doesn't involve killing someone who in the end could be proved innocent after they're gone," he said.Senate Democrats and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe have also voiced their opposition.

The governor wants to reinstate the death penalty after several children and police officers were killed this year.

But, if Gov. Susana Martinez gets her way, the New Mexico Public Defender's Office says it will cost the state millions of dollars.


"(It is) just a tremendous investment of time, trauma and money, and for what? We never actually use it," Jeff Buckels, the office's supervising attorney, said.

He helped abolish the death penalty in 2009.

"The numbers on this were all run through the Legislature in 2009, and I'm certain nothing's changed," he said.

Buckels says death penalty cases are more expensive because more is at stake, so cases usually take more time, require specialized attorneys and a more extensive jury selection.

According to 2009 legislative documents, court administrators said seating a jury typically costs about $8,000, but in a death penalty case, it's closer to $25,000.

Buckels also says a lot of convictions are often appealed.

He believes life without the possibility of parole is an appropriate alternative: less expensive, and "it doesn't involve killing someone who in the end could be proved innocent after they're gone," he said.

Senate Democrats and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe have also voiced their opposition.