Good for state Sen. Thomas “Tim” Owens, R-Overland Park, for his stated commitment to give a proposed repeal of Kansas’ unused death penalty more than a cursory glance in the legislative session that starts in January. “We are going to have a complete and thorough discussion of death penalty abolition,” said Owens, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Since Kansas reinstated capital punishment in 1994, nine men have taken up residence on death row but no execution dates are in sight. Meanwhile, according to a 2003 study, capital cases are costing Kansas 70 percent more than noncapital cases.
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26 Comments
Euthanize the carr animals NOW
Meanwhile, according to a 2003 study, capital cases are costing Kansas 70 percent more than noncapital cases.
As with a lot of things that have increased cost, the cost of attorneys paid for by the state is the largest.
How about addressing the attorney ‘cost’ problem?
The decision to end the life of a killer isn’t what is costing.
——————-
In its review of death penalty expenses, the State of Kansas concluded that capital cases are 70% more expensive than comparable non-death penalty cases. The study counted death penalty case costs through to execution and found that the median death penalty case costs $1.26 million. Non-death penalty cases were counted through to the end of incarceration and were found to have a median cost of $740,000. For death penalty cases, the pre-trial and trial level expenses were the most expensive part, 49% of the total cost. The costs of appeals were 29% of the total expense, and the incarceration and execution costs accounted for the remaining 22%. In comparison to non-death penalty cases, the following findings were revealed:
The investigation costs for death-sentence cases were about 3 times greater than for non-death cases.
The trial costs for death cases were about 16 times greater than for non-death cases ($508,000 for death case; $32,000 for non-death case).
The appeal costs for death cases were 21 times greater.
The costs of carrying out (i.e. incarceration and/or execution) a death sentence were about half the costs of carrying out a non-death sentence in a comparable case.
Trials involving a death sentence averaged 34 days, including jury selection; non-death trials averaged about 9 days.
(Performance Audit Report: Costs Incurred for Death Penalty Cases: A K-GOAL Audit of the Department of Corrections) Read DPIC’s Summary of the Kansas Cost Report.
reference:
DPIC’s Summary of the Kansas Cost Report.
Regular: You make excellent points. Apparently the high costs are due to lawyers jumping on these death penalty cases and keeping the real hardened criminals alive over the long period of time. I’m for quick application of the death penalty in these horrendous murder cases where no mercy was shown to the victims.
However, I think the entire Kansas prison system needs examination with a “fine tooth comb” as they say. It’s hard to find a good cost measure but I’m told it costs $20,000 to $30,000 per year to incarcerate prisoners in Kansas. Presumably the county jails cost a little less and federal prisons such as at Leavenworth cost considerably more.
I have a feeling that sentences for run of the mill crimes are way too long. I get that impression from newspaper articles. I suspect the longer a prisoner is incarcerated, the more hardened he becomes when returned to the community.
I have also been told the State of Kansas does not adhere to some federal prison guidelines so Kansas does not receive federal funds while all the other 49 states do. What’s this about?
Are there financial reasons to keep prisoners in prison beyond the optimum time? I don’t know but have heard this.
Are any Kansas citizens watching the Kansas prison situation or is it left totally up to the justice system, judges, lawyers, prison administrators, etc. who often times depend on this for their livelehood.
Why does Kansas pay to send prisoners out of state and at the same time, accept prisoners from out of state? There might be good reasons but this should be explained to the public.
I suspect Kansas needs more psychologists, social workers, etc. rather than more guards and prison space.
Jwink I am not a death penalty advocate. I am prolife all the way but even I see the Carr brothers as animals and know they should never be among civilized people again.
Remember Reginald Carr was out of prison because of a mistake. If the system had worked he wouldn’t have been out to murder his innocent victims.
So I don’t necessarily agree that we keep prisoners incarcerated too long.
No simple answers. It would seem that if the death penalty is indeed legal then we should follow the lead of Texas and actually follow through on the sentence. This would reduce the cost.
“JWink” tells us –
“Apparently the high costs are due to lawyers jumping on these death penalty cases….”
And Dennis Rader’s 80-cents-a-day meals seem to put the guy where he belongs for the rest of his life.
How many appeals lawyers would that buy?
Lock ‘em up and throw away the key.
That makes sense in any realm of logic outside “okobserver’s” reduction of the Carr brothers as somehow sub-human.
I think they were full-human. Not a lot about their crimes is all that different from “Regular’s” “Perfect World” in which he could frog-march me into an empty field and put a bullet in my skull.
Or else, “Regular,” too is “sub-human.”
(Okay. Bad example.)
Point is: I’m not sure exactly how the Carr brothers’ crimes are all that different from “Regular’s” “Perfect World.”
Perhaps you can fill me in on the nuances.
You know MonkeyHock, repeating that phrase over and over hidden behind a computer screen, without being face to face with me is quite cowardly.
Come to Toc’s on Wednesday, 11 Nov 0930 and say that to my face several times.
No guts – no glory.
Be there or be forever known as the blog’s coward.
okobserver posted November 8, 2009 at 8:52 am
It would seem that if the death penalty is indeed legal then we should follow the lead of Texas and actually follow through on the sentence. This would reduce the cost.
——————–
Like TX did, with Todd Willingham?
On the story site, one poster praised the Texas system.
Texas has chronically executed innocents, though we only know about those who were almost certainly innocent, including Ruben Cantu, Todd Willingham and Carlos DeLuna.
U.S. Catholic bishops call us to reflect, saying “The test of whether the death penalty can be used is whether society has alternative ways to protect itself, not how terrible the crime was. Life in prison without parole provides a non-lethal alternative to the death penalty. We cannot tell whether God has a purpose for a person’s life, even one who has committed a terrible crime and must spend his or her life behind bars.”
Here in Kansas I’ve spoken to Bud Welch, whose daughter Julie died in Tim McVeigh’s Oklahoma City bombing, and Michael Berg, who son Nick had his head cut off on video by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Both men are unalterably opposed to the death penalty. I’ve talked as well to Ray Krone who spent over a decade on death row, due to deliberate misreading of forensic evidence. DNA revealed the identiy of the true killer, who was doing time for rape.
Ritual executions are not only enormously expensive, but they cheapen the lives of those of us left living.
There are those among us who personify this disrespect for life. George W. Bush, who sent 4,400 Americans to their deaths in the Middle East was asked by conservative writer Tucker Carlson about those who came to Austin to plead for the life of convicted killer and born-again Christian, Karla Faye Tucker.
“Did you meet with any of them?”
Bush whips around and stares at (Carlson). “No, I didn’t meet with any of them,” he snaps, as though I’ve just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. “I didn’t meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with [Tucker], though. He asked her real difficult questions, like ‘What would you say to Governor Bush?’ ”
“What was her answer?” Carlson wondered.
“Please,” Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, “don’t kill me.”
“Regular” rises up on his hind legs with –
“You know MonkeyHock, repeating that phrase over and over hidden behind a computer screen, without being face to face with me is quite cowardly.
Come to Toc’s on Wednesday, 11 Nov 0930 and say that to my face several times.
No guts – no glory.
Be there or be forever known as the blog’s coward.”
Oooh!
Ol’ “Regular” knows I don’t live in Wichita. And, as an out-of-towner, I have no idea what or where “Toc’s” is.
And if — as it turns out — I already have plans to be in Los Angeles. Still if I fail to “
Be there or be forever known as the blog’s coward,” ol’ “Regular” thinks he’s laid down a gauntlet.
Ooh!
I’m so scared of ol’ “Regular.”
And ol’ “Regular’s” call-out is so utterly pathetic.
I mean, c’mon.
Meet me at the Ivy in Beverly Hills Wednesday, “Regular.” 3 pm Pacific Time.
If you don’t show up you’ll be “…forever known as the blog’s biggest coward.”
Tell ya what, ol’ “Regular” –
Meet me in the middle of the night at the edge of the empty field of your choice so you can experience your “Perfect World” and frog-march me into it and put a bullet in my skull.
I’m busy the rest of the week.
The only reason you taunt people MonkeyHock is that you think you are safe.
Let’s meet up where I suggested and let me explain your safety.
Reqular as you know MH is a wimp an always has a reason not to meet up with people he is afriad of.
If you say i’ll meet you here, he will come back with some place else or he’s going to be out of town
AS i said MH is a small minded “WIMP”
“Regular” & “FORD1ST” –
You name the date and time.
I’ll name the place.
That way it’s a two-way deal.
It’s the same deal “HLP” and “Nathaniel” agreed to before they, ahem, “wimped” out. (Even when they were assured they would show up some place where concealed weapons were allowed. I’d committed to at least two-guns-to-none and they chickened out.)
That’s my line in the sand, CONs.
Show up or shut up.
You set the day and the time and I’ll match it with the place.
I’m all for taking a close look at it. In principle, I don’t favor the death penalty, and would be willing to see it substituted with the certainty of a life sentence under strictly controlled prison conditions – none of this earning your way into the general prison population. Call it “capital level life without parole” or something. However, I don’t support abolishing the death penalty simply because of expense. Much of the expense is artificial, based on endless appeals, stall tactics and inertia. At that level, streamline the system to put death penalty cases at the head of the line at every stage of the process and set reasonable deadlines.
““Regular” & “FORD1ST” –
You name the date and time.
I’ll name the place.”–Monkey
What a simpleton you are Monkey, everyone can see right through that stupid deception.
You let them name a time and you know you will simply name a place ridiculously difficult or impossible for them to get to. Then call them down for not making it.
Dumb!
“Boxlock20″ tries –
“What a simpleton you are Monkey, everyone can see right through that stupid deception.”
Funny you should say that.
Ol’ “HLP” and “Nathaniel” agreed to such terms — twice — before coming up with lame excuses for opting out.
It’s pretty much common knowledge I don’t live in Wichita.
Ol’ “Regular” calling me out to a restaurant I’ve never heard of at 10 on a Wednesday morning or “…forever be known as the blog’s biggest coward…” is the “stupid deception” you should be attacking, “Boxlock20.” Gonna do that?
I’ll drive halfway to get to a meet-up. We can compare mileage in case a pure even split would find us outside an empty field. Ol’ “Regular” wasn’t even up to that.
Wow, seriously? McCluer is back to making (empty) threats against people? Hey editors, are there no boundaries here at all?
It’s a pity I have to be in Topeka Wednesday morning. Toc’s is walking distance from my home, and a frequent stop for breakfast.
Yeah, T.Witt, I threaten people with some pancakes and eggs along with conversation at Toc’s.
Could it be that Libs are terrified of flour and chicken embryos?
I urge Sen. Thomas “Tim” Owens to read and do my suggestions below–if he wants to do what is best for the citizens of Kansas.
Write a clear and succinct law:
1) allowing only one appeal that must be issued within five years of a death penalty conviction.
2) allowing lawyers involved in appeals to be paid minimum wage.
3) eliminating parole for any type of murder conviction.
4) establishing clear and succinct instructions all judges are to give to all juries in all capital cases.
5) establishing a time limit upon which an appeal must be adjudicated.
6) ordering immediate execution of the convicted upon the appeal upholding the conviction.
BigKHuna,
Hearings on bills are public. You can go up and testify, and share your suggestions directly with the Senate Judiciary Committee, just by calling in a few days before the hearing and getting your name on the list.
If nothing else, your proposal will give everyone a good laugh.
“Regular” –
Again:
Name the date and time.
I’ll name the place.
Simple as that.
Sorry MonkeyHock, this is a Wichita Blog and I set the place in Wichita.
Not my fault you live out in the sticks and hide behind your computer screen to cast dispersions on other people.
If you don’t like the place and time, then move to Wichita where it will be more convenient.
Oh!
It’s “a WICHITA” blog!
Guess ol’ “chrisfrommactown” and “ksfarmgrrl” and “SolDV…whatever” have no standing in these discussions now.
Ol’ “Regular” has staked out his territory like a terrier pizzing in the corners.
Except he crouches instead of lifting his left leg.
MH,
When are we going to work out the logistics for our meet so I can get some hints on keeping my tenmcil on the toad.
•Monkeyhawk
Posted November 9, 2009 at 10:02 am | Permalink
Oh!
It’s “a WICHITA” blog!
Guess ol’ “chrisfrommactown” and “ksfarmgrrl” and “SolDV…whatever” have no standing in these discussions now.
Ol’ “Regular” has staked out his territory like a terrier pizzing in the corners.
Except he crouches instead of lifting his left leg.
————————–
None of them make personal insults and taunts towards me like you do while hiding behind a computer.
KFG might lamblast the right, but she doesn’t make it personal, at least not towards me. I respect KFG – I have no respect for you MonkeyHock.
“Freebird1971″ –
Well, you’re in Wichita and I’m down in southeast Kansas.
I make it to Wichita sometimes but I suspect you happen across my territory not so often.
As I said above, I’ll meet any WE Blog CON (not that I consider you one of them) when we have to drive around the same miles.
That’s the “libruhl” in me.
“HLP” and “Nathaniel” accepted my terms of a meet up (I even encouraged them to bring their concealed weapons) but then backed out of their commitments.
I don’t have a lot of faith in CONs living up to their commitments. Or their integrity.
Ol’ “Boxlock20″ has two specific — and different — accounts of the time he didn’t meet up with “BlueJay.” Either he was sitting in his car and watching “BlueJay” shiver in the cold wind or “Boxlock20″ was sitting in a warm waiting room while he got his car’s oil changed.
And ol’ “Boxlock20″ has scrambled to explain those discrepancies for months. Just as he’s tried to explain his expertise of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency — from “January 20, 1777 to January 20, 1781″.
As for our personal meet-up, “Freebird1971,” I thought I sent you my regular throw-away e-dress. If not. My bad.
I’m not all that eager to set up meet-ups in this particular forum; though I’ve tried.
Since I’m stuck “…out in the sticks…”( according to ol’ “Regular”), I feel I have the right to meet any WE Blog CON half way.
On the other hand, ol’ “Regular” thinks he can name a time and place and my absence will condemn me to being the blogosphere’s worst coward ever if I don’t show up.
See, “Freebird1971,” that’s the logic I deal with. I realize your political proclivities, but you’re not stupid. You have to open your eyes to the illogic and absurdities of some WE Blog CONs.
Didn’t get the addy, if things can be worked out out I feel it would be only fair between here and there.