Across the United States, the death penalty continues to fall out of favor with Americans in general and with juries. A majority of Americans choose life! Since 1985 the Gallup poll has asked a question about whether the death penalty or life in prison without parole “is the better penalty for murder”. For the first time ever, a majority of Americans, 60%, chose life in … [Read more...] about The Death Penalty’s Decline Continues!
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Kansans Making a Difference
Just 60 days into his tenure as governor of Kansas, John Carlin was forced to confront the death penalty head-on. While he had promised not to oppose its reinstatement during his campaign, he admitted that, like many, he hadn't thought very deeply about the death penalty at that point. When freshly passed legislation authorizing executions arrived on his desk in early … [Read more...] about Kansans Making a Difference
Murder: It doesn’t have to end with another death
In 1994 when the Legislature was debating the reinstatement of the Kansas death penalty, proponents kept saying the tragedy of murder had to lead to another death via execution. Murder victim family member Bill Lucero visited legislators and told them that it did not need to end that way. He told the House Federal and State Affairs Committee in January 1994 ”The death … [Read more...] about Murder: It doesn’t have to end with another death
HB 2282: A Mother Speaks
“Because I did not have to deal with the death penalty the offender was sentenced closer to the time of the crime. Then I began to deal with my loss because there were no longer court distractions and it still took me several years to recover to a new normal.” Wilma Loganbill, whose son was murdered in 1999, in support of repealing the Kansas death penalty. … [Read more...] about HB 2282: A Mother Speaks
House Abolition Bill Achieves New Firsts!
House Bill 2282 was introduced on February 12th. It has 32 sponsors—the most ever for a Kansas abolition bill! There are 15 Republican sponsors and 17 Democratic sponsors. A hearing was held on February 19th in House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. Twenty people provided written or oral testimony in support of ending the death penalty. … [Read more...] about House Abolition Bill Achieves New Firsts!