Like last year, state Sen. Joe Keaveny wants the state auditor to "make a one-time report on the costs (of) the death penalty."
His new bill would have the auditor's office compare the total costs, including imprisonment, for cases since 1990 where the death penalty was ordered; where it was sought but the jury ordered life in prison; and where it never was considered.
"It's, basically, just collecting the facts," Keaveny, D-St. Louis, said. "The bill requires the auditor to take a scientific sample of 10 cases in each of those categories."