Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Penalty

[atommom]

This one actually surprised me. Phill Kline's response, not so much.

Atty. Gen. Phill Kline criticized the ruling and said he would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

If the decision is allowed to stand it woud be "thwarting the administration of justice, setting aside legislative intent and wreaking emotional havoc on surviving family members," Kline said.

The court ruled unconstitutional the part of the death penalty that instructs a jury on weighing aggravating factors of the crime against the background of the defendant, which may have affected that person's judgment.

Essentially, the law says that if a jury decides the aggravating factors and mitigating factors are the same in weight, the defendant gets the death penalty. It's referred to as "a tie goes to the state."

http://www.ljworld.com/section/breaking/storypr/190724

[Sandpiper]

1. Well knock me over with a feather

Never would have expected this in a red state.

Damned "librul actavest" judges.

[MuseRider]

2. Our Dem

Gov wants it back though. It will be back, no doubt. Lucero has been working so long and so hard on this, at least he is getting a little time to feel good about it.

[MikeG]

3. What's the matter with Kansas?

[beyurslf]

4. We'll get it back and soon. People here won't stand by and

see the Carr brothers not put to death--or BTK if they ever catch him.

[daydreamer]

5. I am for death penalty

if there is a guarantee that the convicted is 100% guilty.

[KSAtheist]

6. I'm for the death penalty.

But lethal injection sucks. So hypocritical.

"Gee. We're killing you because you committed a monstrous crime, but we don't want you to suffer."