Updates

April 23rd marks the 17th anniversary of the reinstatement of Kansas’ death penalty.  Prior to 1994, Kansas had been a death penalty free state since the 1970s. Though Kansas has not executed an inmate under the current law, the same problems that led 16 other states to abolish the death penalty are gathering greater notice in Kansas. We already know that the Kansas death … [Read more...] about A Solemn Anniversary

The National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which takes place April 10-16 this year,  is an annual observance promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Reshaping the future, Honoring the past,” and the week will be observed through a number of memorial ceremonies and … [Read more...] about KCADP Recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Last Friday, NPR’s Fresh Air replayed an interview with Attorney David Dow, who has defended death row inmates in Texas for nearly two decades. Dow recently wrote a book, The Autobiography of an Execution, that discusses replacing the death penalty with life without parole.  The book is now available in paperback. From NPR: “Attorney David Dow has made a career out of … [Read more...] about Death Row Defense Attorney Discusses Replacing the Death Penalty

This week, the Criminal Justice Student Association at Wichita State University hosted Juan Melendez, a death row exoneree, for two speaking events on campus. At one event, more than 120 Kansans came to hear Melendez’s story of his wrongful conviction and his exoneration from Florida’s death row. Juan Melendez, exonerated in 2002, told in great detail the story of how … [Read more...] about Death Row Exoneree Juan Melendez in Wichita

Over the last week, several Kansas faith leaders have come together to call on the Kansas Legislature to replace the death penalty with life without parole. Citing reasons ranging from helping the families of murder victims to the sanctity of human life, these faith leaders urged the Kansas Legislature to give the death penalty serious debate.  "Whether you approach … [Read more...] about Kansas Faith Leaders Call for Repeal of the Death Penalty

Today, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the death penalty repeal bill into law, officially ending capital punishment in Illinois! As you celebrate this victory, please take a moment to help build the momentum toward abolition in Kansas. Right now, HB 2323, which would repeal the Kansas death penalty and replace it with a life sentence without the possibility of parole, … [Read more...] about Illinois Governor Signs Death Penalty Repeal Into Law

National anti-death penalty advocate Sister Helen Prejean visited Kansas last week to help raise awareness of death penalty abolition work in the state. During her visit, Sr. Helen attended a staged reading of the play Dead Man Walking, based on her book of the same name, at Washburn University.  Following the reading, Sr. Helen led a discussion with more than 200 people in … [Read more...] about Sister Helen Prejean visits Kansas