The Kansas House of Representatives. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)The Kansas House has rejected a bill that would have sped up death penalty appeals. Some House members say they oppose the bill because they believe the courts should be able to control the speed of the cases. Representative Steven Becker, a Buhler Republican, opposes the bill because the death penalty measure has not gone through the normal process of committee review and a hearing before the full House.
The death penalty legislation was also coupled with another bill that would make probable cause affidavits and search warrant documents public. That bill has passed the House already and has significant support. Some House members will try to negotiate a compromise that eliminates the death penalty portion of the bill, but preserves the rest.