Inside the Kansas Supreme Courtroom (Photo by Stephen Koranda)
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors say a Kansas Supreme Court ruling could lead to the early release of more than 200 dangerous inmates. The ruling, first issued in May and clarified on Friday, concerns whether a defendant's prior felony convictions are classified as "crimes against persons" or "nonperson" crimes under state guidelines in place since July 1, 1993. Nonperson crimes such as forgery or theft generally bring shorter sentences. The Kansas City Star reports the court ruled in May that all felony convictions from other states before July 1, 1993, should be considered nonperson crimes for sentencing purposes. It clarified Friday that the ruling pertained only to out-of-state convictions. Scott Schultz, executive director of the Kansas Sentencing Commission, says an estimated 235 inmates could have their sentences reduced because of the ruling.