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Wichita Eagle Calls for a Reassessment of the Death Penalty

An opinion piece in the October 21, 2009, issue of the Wichita Eagle was titled "reasons to rethink the death penalty. " The article stated that Kansas "does not have a death penalty in practice, although capital punishment has been back on the books in Kansas since 1994 and there currently are nine men on death row. Each complex phase of each case seems to churn up new legal … [Read more...] about Wichita Eagle Calls for a Reassessment of the Death Penalty

Capital punishment seen as outdated and immoral

From the Kansas State Collegian. By Tim Hadachek The state of Texas executed 22 death row inmates in 2004, so the case of Cameron Todd Willingham hardly seemed special at the time. Willingham had been convicted of setting his own house ablaze and killing his three children inside. According to the jury, the prosecution used a forensic fire expert to prove, beyond a … [Read more...] about Capital punishment seen as outdated and immoral

Iola Register Questions Death Penalty

An editorial in the July 30, 2009, issue of the Iola Register pointed out that serial killer John Robinson, sentenced to death in 2002 for murdering three women, has not yet been executed; in fact, his attorney filed an appeal that week asking for a new trial for Robinson. Said the Register, "Robinson's case is a perfect illustration of why the death penalty doesn't work to … [Read more...] about Iola Register Questions Death Penalty

Hutchinson News Calls Ending the Death Penalty a Capital Idea

Our attention was recently called to an editorial in the Hutchinson News that was printed in May, 2009.  Titled "A Capital Idea," the editorial said that Colorado has the right idea, one that Kansas should consider emulating, in its proposal to end the death penalty."   In the last year several states considered abolishing the death penalty to save money in their budgets. In … [Read more...] about Hutchinson News Calls Ending the Death Penalty a Capital Idea

A Capital Idea

The Hutchinson News calls for abolition. By Davina Jamison/Hutchinson News editorial board "Colorado has the right idea, and one that Kansas should consider emulating, in its proposal to end the death penalty. Before death penalty proponents write off the idea, consider this: What if the money being spent on capital cases - largely to cover the many appeals made on … [Read more...] about A Capital Idea

Marsh Case Resolved in New Agreement

On Friday, April 3, 2009, in Wichita, Michael Marsh entered an Alford plea in regard to the charges pending against him. Marsh's capital murder conviction and aggravated arson conviction had been vacated by the State Supreme Court in 2004. Marsh entered a guilty plea to reduced charges. The plea was accepted by Judge Owens, and Marsh was sentenced to life in prison. The … [Read more...] about Marsh Case Resolved in New Agreement

Thurber Receives Death Sentence

On March 20, 2009, Cowley County District Judge Jim Pringle imposed a sentence of death on Justin Thurber, following the recommendation of the jury which had earlier convicted him of capital murder in the January 2007 death of Jodi Sanderholm. Pringle also sentenced Thurber to 176 months for aggravated kidnapping. The judge rejected a defense motion for a new trial, ruling … [Read more...] about Thurber Receives Death Sentence

Cost Issue Hits Many States

* A California commission reported that the state is spending $138 million per year on a death penalty system that they described as "broken" and "close to collapse." * A study in Maryland indicated that the state had spent $37 million for each execution when all the costs of the death penalty were included. * With the average time spent on death row increasing to 12.7 … [Read more...] about Cost Issue Hits Many States

New Poll: What Kansans Think about the Death Penalty

A poll conducted in January 2007 for the Coalition reveals that while Kansans often say they support the death penalty, they have concerns about its fairness and a large majority wish for a better way to stop murderers. Fifty-seven percent agreed that "the death penalty is too arbitrary because some people are executed while others serve prison terms for the same crimes." … [Read more...] about New Poll: What Kansans Think about the Death Penalty