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
Death Penalty Too Costly, Not Deterrent
Senator Carolyn McGinn (R) (pictured right) published an op-ed in the March 1, 2009 edition of the Wichita Eagle. The page is no longer accessible online so, we're reprinting it from the Death Penalty Information Center. Because of the state's budget deficit, state legislators are looking at how we fund government today and in the future. We are considering bills that … [Read more...] about Death Penalty Too Costly, Not Deterrent
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