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Death Row Exoneree Juan Melendez in Wichita

This week, the Criminal Justice Student Association at Wichita State University hosted Juan Melendez, a death row exoneree, for two speaking events on campus. At one event, more than 120 Kansans came to hear Melendez’s story of his wrongful conviction and his exoneration from Florida’s death row. Juan Melendez, exonerated in 2002, told in great detail the story of how … [Read more...] about Death Row Exoneree Juan Melendez in Wichita

Kansas Faith Leaders Call for Repeal of the Death Penalty

Over the last week, several Kansas faith leaders have come together to call on the Kansas Legislature to replace the death penalty with life without parole. Citing reasons ranging from helping the families of murder victims to the sanctity of human life, these faith leaders urged the Kansas Legislature to give the death penalty serious debate.  "Whether you approach … [Read more...] about Kansas Faith Leaders Call for Repeal of the Death Penalty

Voices of Innocence: Ruben Cantu

An Execution and a Prosecutor’s Regret       Ruben Cantu was 17 years old at the time Pedro Gomez was murdered and Juan Moreno was wounded.  On November 8, 1984, both Gomez and Moreno were shot, but Moreno survived the attack with serious injuries.  Moreno, who was not a legal citizen of the United States at the time, was pressured into … [Read more...] about Voices of Innocence: Ruben Cantu

Wichita Eagle: Rethink Death Penalty

In a March 11, 2011 editorial, the Wichita Eagle called for Kansas to rethink its death penalty in light of Illinois' recent abolition of capital punishment. The editorial cites the problems associated with Illinois' death penalty, including wrongful convictions and discriminatory treatment, as problems that could also exist in Kansas' death penalty system. In addition to … [Read more...] about Wichita Eagle: Rethink Death Penalty