On Thursday, March 15th the House Standing Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice held a special informational hearing on the Kansas death penalty. Perhaps the most exciting part was the crowd of people that packed the committee room to show their support for abolition! Abolitionists wore name tags featuring a sunflower and the number 17, reflecting our … [Read more...] about Hearing in the House a great success!
Updated: Time Change––Kansas House to Hold Death Penalty Hearing
**There has been a time change for Thursday's committee hearing on the death penalty. The hearing will now begin at 1:00pm. If you will be attending the hearing, you should plan to be in the committee room, 144-S, by 12:30pm.** The House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice has announced that it will hold a hearing on the death penalty next … [Read more...] about Updated: Time Change––Kansas House to Hold Death Penalty Hearing
KCADP Members Work for Abolition During Legislative Session
KCADP members have been very active so far this legislative session. Kansas Abolition Day, which was January 30th, was a huge success! More than 200 Kansans called Governor Brownback and asked him to make abolition of the death penalty a priority. That same day, two Topeka-area faith leaders hand delivered a letter to the Governor calling on him to … [Read more...] about KCADP Members Work for Abolition During Legislative Session
HELP CELEBRATE KANSAS ABOLITION DAY-JANUARY 30TH!
It may come as a surprise, but Kansas has a long and tumultuous history with the death penalty. On January 30, 1907, we became one of the first states to legislatively repeal the death penalty when Governor Hoch, an ardent opponent of capital punishment, signed abolition legislation. This January 30th, to commemorate Kansas Abolition Day, we need you to call on Governor … [Read more...] about HELP CELEBRATE KANSAS ABOLITION DAY-JANUARY 30TH!
Support for Death Penalty Continues to Erode
The newly-released report from the Death Penalty Information Center reveals what many have suspected: that the support and use of capital punishment in the United States is declining. Citing the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois, the moratorium in Oregon, and the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia, DPIC breaks down the reasons for numbers such … [Read more...] about Support for Death Penalty Continues to Erode
Excellent Opinion Piece Published in the Emporia Gazette
On December 16, 2011, the Emporia Gazette published a column by Bob Grover entitled, "Abolish the death penalty in Kansas" which outlined many reasons that the death penalty in Kansas should be replaced with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Grover approaches this topic from a variety of angles, including cost, deterrence, fairness, and … [Read more...] about Excellent Opinion Piece Published in the Emporia Gazette
Abolition Efforts in Kansas are Catching Attention Nationwide
Last week, Kansas' abolition movement made national news as one of several states with a shot at ending the death penalty in 2012. The Washington, D.C. based newspaper Politico listed Kansas, along with California, Maryland, Connecticut, and Ohio, as a state that's making a big push to end the death penalty. KCADP Board Chair Donna Schneweis was mentioned in the … [Read more...] about Abolition Efforts in Kansas are Catching Attention Nationwide
Moratorium on executions in Oregon!
Citing regret for executions that took place in his state over 10 years ago, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber announced last week that no further executions would take place in his state while he is the Governor. "I simply cannot participate once again in something that I believe to be morally wrong," the governor said in uncharacteristically emotional … [Read more...] about Moratorium on executions in Oregon!
"The Disturbing Case of Eddie Lowery" Documentary to Air in December
"The Disturbing Case of Eddie Lowery " will air Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9pm (central time) on MSNBC. Eddie James Lowery was wrongfully convicted of the rape of an Ogden, KS woman in 1981 and spent ten years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. This MSNBC documentary tells the story of Lowery’s wrongful conviction, his difficult journey to justice … [Read more...] about "The Disturbing Case of Eddie Lowery" Documentary to Air in December
Murder Victim Family Member Shares Experience in Salina
KCADP Board member Carolyn Zimmerman spoke in Salina over the weekend about her experience as a murder victim family member and her opposition to the death penalty. Zimmerman, whose father was murdered in 1969, told those who attended the meeting that "So often people think that if there was a murder in your family, you certainly support the death … [Read more...] about Murder Victim Family Member Shares Experience in Salina