Death penalty trend in Nevada rises

CARSON CITY -- Nevada death penalty opponents say a report showing a decline in the number of death penalty cases nationwide underscores the need for a death penalty cost assessment in the Silver State -- something that was approved by legislators but vetoed by Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, there were 43 executions nationwide this year and 46 in 2010 -- down from 98 in 1999.

While other states have ended the death penalty, a Nevada coalition says the number of death sentences imposed in the Silver State has risen.

AB501 called for a temporary moratorium on executions in Nevada while a cost analysis of the death penalty is conducted. The bill won legislative approval after the moratorium was dropped, but Sandoval vetoed the bill.