Just how much does the death penalty cost? It’s no secret that the death penalty is expensive. A 2003 Kansas Legislative Post Audit study found that death penalty cases can cost up to 70% more to try than cases that seek a non-death sentence, such as life without parole. But a Topeka Capital-Journal article published August 6th shed some light on just how much a death … [Read more...] about Death Penalty Trial Leads to Higher Taxes in Kansas County
UPDATE: West Memphis Three Freed!
After learning about a surprise hearing in the case known as the “West Memphis Three,” Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelly, Jr., and Jason Baldwin were released from prison on Friday, August 19, 2011. Misskelly and Baldwin were each serving life sentences while Echols was released from death row. The release was made possible by a rare legal maneuver known as an “Alford … [Read more...] about UPDATE: West Memphis Three Freed!
Salina Journal Calls for Death Penalty’s Replacement
Friday, July 1st marks the 17th anniversary of Kansas’ current death penalty statute. Noting Friday’s anniversary, The Salina Journal called on state legislators to repeal the Kansas death penalty in an editorial published Monday. Citing the Kansas Legislative Post Audit’s 2003 cost study, The Salina Journal highlighted that not only are capital cases up to 70% more … [Read more...] about Salina Journal Calls for Death Penalty’s Replacement
Bess Klassen-Landis Completes Kansas Speaking Tour
This past week, KCADP was blessed to have Bess Klassen-Landis in central Kansas for a speaking tour. Bess, who was born in Newton, Kansas, shared the story of her mother’s murder and how she managed to heal from the tragedy through forgiveness. She now tours the country speaking out against the vengeance of the death penalty. Bess spoke to groups in Hillsboro, La Crosse, … [Read more...] about Bess Klassen-Landis Completes Kansas Speaking Tour
Letters to the Editor Supporting Death Penalty Repeal
Over the weekend, two great letters to the editor about replacing the death penalty were printed in Kansas newspapers. Sidney Brush, of Wichita, wrote to the Wichita Eagle about the high cost of the death penalty law that has been in effect for 17 years. Click here to read Brush's Letter to the Editor. Kirby Hayes, of Lawrence, wrote to the Lawrence Journal World, … [Read more...] about Letters to the Editor Supporting Death Penalty Repeal
Voices of Innocence
Innocent Lives in the Balance In a death penalty system, there is always a real and unacceptable risk of executing an innocent person. Since 1973, 152 people nationwide have been exonerated from death row because new evidence came to light after they were sentenced to die for crimes they did not commit. Even with the best intentions, police officers, lab technicians, … [Read more...] about Voices of Innocence
Bess Klassen-Landis to Speak in Central Kansas
This summer KCADP is helping to sponsor four FREE speaking events in central Kansas. In late June, Bess Klassen-Landis, whose mother was brutally murdered in 1969, will be speaking to communities in central Kansas about the power of forgiveness. Bess was able to overcome her own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms by forgiving her mother’s murderer and now tours the … [Read more...] about Bess Klassen-Landis to Speak in Central Kansas
Victim Voices: Marilyn J. Trechter "My Own Journey As an Abolitionist"
TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY My Own Journey As An Abolitionist by Marilyn J. Trechter My own journey toward abolition actually began on April 4, 1968. On the day before my sixteenth birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered. What impressed me was that I was so saddened by the riots that occurred as a response to the murder. This man was an Apostle … [Read more...] about Victim Voices: Marilyn J. Trechter "My Own Journey As an Abolitionist"
Area Exonerees Discuss Life After Wrongful Imprisonment
Last night, Kansas City’s Fox 4 News profiled two area exonerees and their struggle to put their lives back together after they served time in prison for crimes they did not commit. Eddie Lowery, of Kansas, who was wrongfully convicted of rape, served nearly 10 years before being paroled. The truth about his innocence only came to light after he was released from … [Read more...] about Area Exonerees Discuss Life After Wrongful Imprisonment
Voices of Innocence: Eddie Lowery
Eddie Lowery: A Kansas Wrongful Conviction In the early morning hours of July 26, 1981, an Ogden, Kansas woman was brutally raped in her home. Nearby that same night, Eddie Lowery, a 22 year-old soldier stationed at Fort Riley, was involved in a car accident. Because of his accident’s proximity to the location of the rape, Lowery was questioned by police about the … [Read more...] about Voices of Innocence: Eddie Lowery