Kansas Cases

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?  

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

The Death Penalty in Kansas…I've got Issues with that!

  Did you happen to miss KTWU's latest "I've Got Issues" program, when the death penalty in Kansas was discussed? Bummed you didn't get to see the interview with Sister Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking?" Disappointed that you missed our very own Mary Sloan and Ron Wurtz talk about the benefits of repealing the death penalty in Kansas?   Don't worry you can … [Read more...] about The Death Penalty in Kansas…I've got Issues with that!

Kansas Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence in Cheever Case

  The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously overturned the death sentence and ordered a new trial for Scott Cheever today.   The death of Sheriff Matthew Samuels was a tragic loss for his family, Greenwood County and the Kansas law enforcement community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the many Kansans whose lives are impacted by this decision … [Read more...] about Kansas Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence in Cheever Case

Lawrence Journal-World publishes in-depth account of Kansas felony exoneree

  Kansas is not immune to the problems that other states face within the justice system. The first Kansan exonerated through DNA evidence after serving time in a Kansas prison granted an exclusive look into the challenges he has faced since being punished for a crime for which he was innocent.   Of the more than 270 people in the United States exonerated by DNA … [Read more...] about Lawrence Journal-World publishes in-depth account of Kansas felony exoneree

Gavin Scott Moves off Death Row

Gavin Scott, sentenced to death in a 1996 double homicide, has reached a plea agreement that drops the death penalty and sentences him instead to two consecutive life sentences. His original sentence was overturned by the Kansas Supreme Court in May 2008 and he has been awaiting re-sentencing since that date. Scott will not be eligible for parole for at least 85 years. … [Read more...] about Gavin Scott Moves off Death Row