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Death Penalty Question Rises Again

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-880692.mp3

Topeka, Kan. – A law enacted in Kansas in 1994 and never used to its ultimate conclusion, will come up for a review among state legislators this week. Hearings will begin tomorrow in Topeka.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will debate merits of the death penalty law, its costs and effectiveness. Kansas enacted its death penalty statute sixteen years ago. No one has been executed in the state during that time.

Lawmakers concede there is small chance the law will be repealed this year. Senate Judiciary Chairman Tim Owens, an Overland Park Republican, said there is merit in periodically reviewing the law. A bill was debated last year that would have prevented new death sentences after July 1st, 2009 but the bill was sent back to committee for more work.

 

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