Louisiana spent $7.7 million on death penalty defense. It hasn’t executed anyone in 13 years.

Louisiana spent $7.7 million on death penalty defense. It hasn’t executed anyone in 13 years.

Regardless of whether executions are moving forward, Louisiana must provide a vigorous defense for people who face death sentences.

Louisiana spent $7.7 million on death penalty defense — but hasn’t executed anyone in 13 years

Louisiana spent $7.7 million providing legal defense to people facing the death penalty in 2022, according to the Louisiana Public Defender’s Office, even though the state hasn’t executed anyone in 13 years. The most recently Louisiana has put someone to death was Gerald Bordelon in January 2010, after he waived his right to legal appeals and fast-tracked his own killing. Prior to his death, Louisiana hadn’t executed anyone since 2002. State…