News

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Capital punishment seen as outdated and immoral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 about Capital punishment seen as outdated and immoral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

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

Murder Victim's Mother Says Death Penalty Isn't the Answer

In a letter to the editor published in the July 18, 2006, issue of the Newton Kansan, Wilma Loganbill of Hesston told of her feelings on the death of her son and punishment for his killer. "Murder leaves a multitude of emotions and pain is the worst. A pain so deep, high and wide, no words are big enough to describe it. You can't get around or through it. And then there is … [Read more...] about Murder Victim's Mother Says Death Penalty Isn't the Answer