While I don’t agree with this ruling, it costs well over million $$ to try a death penalty case in Washington state. Those cost are paid by the local county government where the trial is held. It may be un-written but that is a primary driver in the Prosecutor’s decision.
That statistic is meaningless unless the question "compared to what?" is asked. (Thanks, Thomas Sowell.)
What does it cost to house an inmate in maximum security prison for his entire life (assuming a young convict), pay his food, medical, miscellaneous and LEGAL expenses while he goes through parole hearings or appeals, and the very real possibility of harming or taking the lives of other inmates who are NOT violent offenders?
Could be 45 years of these expenses.