Topeka — A proposal to repeal Kansas’ death penalty law will be reviewed by a Senate committee next week.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Tim Owens said he’s scheduled for days of hearings, starting Jan. 19.
Kansas enacted its law in 1994, making death by lethal injection the possible penalty for some murders. But the state has yet to execute anyone under it.
Capital punishment opponents pushed for the law’s repeal last year, and a bill they introduced last year to prevent new death sentences is still before the committee.
Owens, an Overland Park Republican, said he’s scheduled four days of hearings so that all issues surrounding the death penalty are examined thoroughly.
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ralphralph (anonymous) says…
The State of Kansas will not execute anyone under the law. As such, the death penalty law creates no deterrence and is a huge waste of tax money, as we must maintain the system (e.g., special defense attorneys, etc.) as though we might just use it someday ... but we won't. Repeal the death penalty, put in place some hard-25 and hard-40 type laws, or life-without-parole, and focus on actually catching and convicting offenders.
Eride (anonymous) says…
Ugh, please get rid of it. It is hugely expensive and serves no rational purpose.