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Tree of Healing

Our Response to Murder: Revenge? Or Support and Healing?   In the 1994 Kansas legislative session, the question again arose – what should be the response to the most serious form of murder?  Prison or execution?   In response, Bill Lucero, KCADP founder and murder victim family member, told the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, “The death penalty … [Read more...] about Tree of Healing

Why Abolition Makes Sense

There are many practical reasons to support death penalty abolition in Kansas.    They include the following:  Cost: A 2014 study by the Kansas Judicial Council Death Penalty Advisory Committee found defense and district court costs are 3-4 times more for cases where the death penalty is sought than for similar cases where it is not sought. Even when … [Read more...] about Why Abolition Makes Sense

48 Legislators Sign on to Kansas Abolition Legislation!!!!

The growing Kansas legislative support for abolition was clear with the introduction of HB 2349 and SB 211 in February. In the House, Rep. Mark Schreiber and thirty three of his House colleagues sponsored HB 2349.  Those co-sponsoring Representatives are: Amyx, Ballard, Blew, Carmichael, Concannon, Curtis, Donohoe, Eplee, Featherston, Haskins, Haswood, Highberger, … [Read more...] about 48 Legislators Sign on to Kansas Abolition Legislation!!!!

Kansas Death Penalty on Trial

The Kansas death penalty is being put on trial in a Sedgwick County capital murder case with a special set of hearings February 6 through 8. Kyle Young, an African American man, is charged with capital murder in the January 22, 2020 deaths of Alicia Roman and George Kirksey.  He faces the death penalty if convicted.   His attorneys have filed a pretrial challenge to the … [Read more...] about Kansas Death Penalty on Trial

KCADP Statement In Response To US Supreme Court Ruling In The Carr Appeals

Every capital murder, by definition, involves a horrible crime. And we acknowledge that the victims in these cases were loved and are missed by their families every single day.   But even so, these cases were infected with the types of racial discrimination, prosecutorial misconduct, and unfair jury selection that we see in death penalty cases across the county. It’s … [Read more...] about KCADP Statement In Response To US Supreme Court Ruling In The Carr Appeals

Nominee Slate Announced!

The following persons are nominated for the KCADP Board election which will take place on October 15, 2022: Vice Chair:  Ron Wurtz Treasurer:  Robert Sanders Board of Directors:  Steve Becker, Kelson Bohnet, Celeste Dixon, Brendan Fox, Willmar T. Harder, Marcus Rhodes, Moji Rosson, Teresa Woody.   KCADP members will be able to participate in the election in … [Read more...] about Nominee Slate Announced!

Bylaws Change to be Considered at Oct. 15th Annual Meeting

At the October 15th Annual Meeting there is an amendment to the KCADP bylaws which will be presented for consideration of the KCADP members. The amendment deals with the maximum number of members of the board of directors. Currently the bylaws read:  “There shall be no less than four (4) and no more than twelve (12) directors.” The proposed amendment is “There shall be … [Read more...] about Bylaws Change to be Considered at Oct. 15th Annual Meeting

Join us October 15th for “Investing in the Culture We Want: How the Death Penalty Shortchanges Public Safety”

KCADP is hosting “Investing in the Culture We Want:  How the Death Penalty Shortchanges Public Safety” on Saturday October 15th, 2022 from 1 to 3 p.m. at  Mother Teresa Parish Hall, North Topeka.  This is the 2022 KCADP Abolition Conference and Annual Meeting. Many people are now aware that the death penalty costs far more than life in prison without the possibility of … [Read more...] about Join us October 15th for “Investing in the Culture We Want: How the Death Penalty Shortchanges Public Safety”

Join Us September 10th!

    Join Us for this Special Event!   Panelists: Peter Goerzen, Professor of Bible and Religion, Bethel College Donna Schneweis, Board Chair, KCADP Ron Wurtz, Retired Federal Public Defender, First Director of the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit Katie Rose Friesen Birkey, Bethel College Student Steven Becker, Former District Court … [Read more...] about Join Us September 10th!

The US Supreme Court: “Finality” Can Be More Important Than Innocence Issues

Protecting prisoners’ rights and avoiding executions of innocent people in federal courts is nigh onto impossible. A man is on death row in part because of poor lawyering.  Four federal judges have agreed the man may well be innocent but the Supreme Court couldn’t overturn his conviction or stop the state from executing him because of a Clinton-era law and the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about The US Supreme Court: “Finality” Can Be More Important Than Innocence Issues