In the first part of this series, we looked at how the law defines capital murder and initial decisions by the prosecutor on charging and the question of death notice. Those are just the first of a series of decision points in Kansas capital cases. Decision point 2: go to trial or plea bargain? In this pre trial phase, both prosecution and defense are … [Read more...] about The Landscape of the Kansas Death Penalty at 31–Part Two
Kansas Cases
The Landscape of the Kansas Death Penalty at 31–Part One
On July 1st, the Kansas death penalty turned 31 years old. KCADP board members have encountered persons who don’t even know Kansas HAS a death penalty. We hope this article might bring a broader awareness of where capital punishment has been/is being sought in our state. What is capital murder? Under the law, capital murder is defined as intentional … [Read more...] about The Landscape of the Kansas Death Penalty at 31–Part One
Judge Klapper cites critical flaws with Kansas’ death penalty
The Kansas death penalty has been ‘on trial’ before Judge Bill Klapper in Wyandotte District Court since late October 2024. The State Board of Indigent Defense Services, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Kansas ACLU, and attorneys from Hogan Lovells, and Ali & Lockwood filed a constitutional challenge on behalf of two men who were charged with capital murder in … [Read more...] about Judge Klapper cites critical flaws with Kansas’ death penalty
Kansas Death Penalty on Trial 2024
Often when people think of the death penalty, their minds go to individual cases. That is understandable. What cannot be forgotten however are the questions about how our law operates on a systemic scale. On Monday October 28th Judge Klapper in Wyandotte County District Court began hearing a constitutional challenge to the Kansas death penalty. This pretrial challenge is … [Read more...] about Kansas Death Penalty on Trial 2024
The Kansas Death Penalty at 29: What do the years tell us?
On July 1st, Kansas entered its twenty ninth year of a capital punishment law on the books again. Passed by the legislature and allowed by Governor Joan Finney to become law without her signature, the bill was accompanied by many hopes and promises of its supporters. “We’ll get it right and not be like those other states.” “We’ll fund the public … [Read more...] about The Kansas Death Penalty at 29: What do the years tell us?