Famed anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean will be in Kansas on Thursday, March 3. Prejean is the author of the book Dead Man Walking, on which the film of the same name was based. The program will include a staged reading from the book and a discussion led by Sister Helen herself. The event will be held at the Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre in the … [Read more...] about Famed anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean to visit Kansas!
Updates
DNA Test Casts Doubt on Texas Execution
In 1990, a Texas jury convicted Claude Jones of murder, and he was executed in 2000. Jones and another ex-convict, Danny Dixon, had stopped at a convenience store. One of the men entered the store and shot a man inside, while the other remained outside in the car. Jones and Dixon argued about which was the shooter, but Jones was eventually convicted of pulling the trigger on … [Read more...] about DNA Test Casts Doubt on Texas Execution
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
Cheatham to Get New Sentencing Hearing
On February 22, 2010, Shawnee County District Court Judge Mark Braun issued a decision that will give Phillip Cheatham a new sentencing hearing. His attorney, Dennis Hawver, had testified at an earlier hearing that he believed he provided ineffective counsel. Hawver, who had never tried a capital case, stated that he hadn't talked to other defense attorneys about trying … [Read more...] about Cheatham to Get New Sentencing Hearing
Marsh Case Resolved in New Agreement
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
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
League of Women Voters Supports Abolition of the Death Penalty
The League of Women Voters of the United States has adopted an official national policy calling for abolition of the death penalty. During the organization's national convention in early June, 2006, delegates adopted a new policy stating, "The League of Women Voters of the United States supports the abolition of the death penalty." The League of Women Voters of Kansas has had a … [Read more...] about League of Women Voters Supports Abolition of the Death Penalty
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