This is crazy

Since 1978 California has spent $4 billion dollars on something that has happened only thirteen times in that period; each time the event has occurred one could say it cost $308,000,000. Does the fact that the event occurs almost every five years justify the $308,000,000 cost? Well, we'd have to look at the benefits. 

What are the benefits of executing a convict? Perhaps, the victim's relatives and friends receive some consolation or relief. But does the possibility of the death penalty really stop anyone from committing a very serious crime? That's highly unlikely. So, why does a state on the verge of bankruptcy continue to spend over $100,000,000 a year maintaining death row? To the costs of maintaining death row, which, by the way, now holds 714 inmates, one must add the costs of prosecuting the cases; studies show that in 2009 it cost $184,000,000 more to prosecute a death penalty case than a life without parole case.

Couldn't California find a better use for the money?