In a March 11, 2011 editorial, the Wichita Eagle called for Kansas to rethink its death penalty in light of Illinois’ recent abolition of capital punishment.
The editorial cites the problems associated with Illinois’ death penalty, including wrongful convictions and discriminatory treatment, as problems that could also exist in Kansas’ death penalty system.
In addition to potential errors within the system, the editorial raises the issue of the cost of the Kansas death penalty, “which has yet to be carried out after 17 years but is costing Kansas a bundle.”
“At a time when Kansas lawmakers should be eager to consider all options to reduce spending, a repeal of capital punishment should have additional appeal: Death penalty cases cost the state $500,000 more each, or 70 percent, to pursue than non-death penalty cases.”
Read the full editorial here.