illion - than death penalty cases. Opponents ludicrously claim that the death penalty costs, over time, 3-10 times more the LWOP. There are at least 28 procedures necessary in reaching a death sentence. They are: (1) The crime must be one listed as a capital crime in the penal code; (2) a suspect must be identified and arrested; (3) Beginning with the Bill of Rights, the Miranda warnings and the exclusionary rules, U.S. criminal defendants and those convicted have, by far, the most extensive protections ever devised and implemented; (4) in Harris county (Houston), Texas a panel of district attorneys determines if the case merits the death penalty as prescribed by the Penal Code (5) a grand jury must indict the suspect for capital murder; (6) the suspect is presumed innocent; (7) the prosecution must prove to the judge that the evidence, upon which the prosecution will rely, is admissible; (8) the defendant is assigned two attorneys, county funds are provided to the defense counsel for investigation and trial; (9) it takes 3-12 weeks to select a jury; (10) trial is conducted; (11) the burden of proof is on the state; (12) all 12 jury members must find for guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt. In most cases, the jury knows nothing of the defendant's previous criminal acts, at this stage. If found guilty, then, the punishment phase of the trial begins; (13) the prosecution presents additional damning evidence against the murderer, i.e., other crimes, victims, victims' or survivors' testimony, police reports, etc; (14) in order to find for death, the issues to be resolved by the jury are {a} (14) did the defendant not only act willfully in causing the death, but act deliberately, as well, {b} (15) does the evidence show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that there is a likelihood that the defendant will be dangerous in the future, {c} (16) if there was provocation on the part of the victim, were the defendant's actions unreasonable in response t...
