Tivo is right. It costs more to prosecute death penalty cases due to lawyer fees being jacked up to defend someone facing the death penalty. Not to mention that people convicted and sentenced to death have the right to appeal many many times, each time the appeal is allowed, it cost more in higher jacked up fees, often payed for by tax payer money since the convict has no money. Information on related death penalty costs vs federal crimes with life and no parole
can be found here.
For me, its a double edged sword. If someone murdered one of my family members, I'd want death for the perp, no matter what the cost. It is clearly a revenge thing for me. I gladly admit it even though I think its wrong on the whole as it doesn't deter crime and it can be a financial burden on tax payers and it has the potential to put innocent people to death. Reform of the laws regarding death penalty cases might help. If, for instance we could only carry out the DP with DNA evidence that clearly links the perp to the crime, lessen appeal chances due to the DNA evidence. I'm sure there could be other reforms, but thats for another debate.
Is the DP justified? I think on a personal level it can be, but with that said, its up to each person. If someone killed your family, would you be satisfied with life in prison, knowing that he could still see his family? He could still watch his family grow, even from behind bars? I wouldn't be satisfied. I have no belief in the afterlife, so I'd be content to know that this person wasn't going to heaven on a last minute plea to some god for forgiveness. He would be just like he was before birth, nothing.