On Friday, April 3, 2009, in Wichita, Michael Marsh entered an Alford plea in regard to the charges pending against him. Marsh's capital murder conviction and aggravated arson conviction had been vacated by the State Supreme Court in 2004. Marsh entered a guilty plea to reduced charges. The plea was accepted by Judge Owens, and Marsh was sentenced to life in prison. The … [Read more...] about Marsh Case Resolved in New Agreement
Updates
Thurber Receives Death Sentence
On March 20, 2009, Cowley County District Judge Jim Pringle imposed a sentence of death on Justin Thurber, following the recommendation of the jury which had earlier convicted him of capital murder in the January 2007 death of Jodi Sanderholm. Pringle also sentenced Thurber to 176 months for aggravated kidnapping. The judge rejected a defense motion for a new trial, ruling … [Read more...] about Thurber Receives Death Sentence
Cost Issue Hits Many States
* A California commission reported that the state is spending $138 million per year on a death penalty system that they described as "broken" and "close to collapse." * A study in Maryland indicated that the state had spent $37 million for each execution when all the costs of the death penalty were included. * With the average time spent on death row increasing to 12.7 … [Read more...] about Cost Issue Hits Many States
US Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Marsh Case: Kansas Death Penalty is Constitutional
In a narrow, 5-4 decision made public on Monday, June 26, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Kansas' death penalty law is constitutional. The ruling resulted from the case of Kansas v. Marsh. The opinion, written by Justice Thomas, says that Kansas' statute satisfies the constitutional mandates "because it rationally narrows the class of death-eligible defendants and … [Read more...] about US Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Marsh Case: Kansas Death Penalty is Constitutional
Coalition's Response to the Supreme Court Ruling in Marsh
Although we are disappointed with today's decision, it is important to point out what the U.S. Supreme Court did not say. The court did not rule that the death penalty is good. It did not say that the death penalty is fair. It did not find that the death penalty saves tax dollars. It did not state that the death penalty deters others from killing. This death penalty case … [Read more...] about Coalition's Response to the Supreme Court Ruling in Marsh