Mary Sloan, KCADP Executive Director, ties a yellow ribbon around the Tree of Healing at the annual Commemoration Ceremony. Thank you to all of those who participated! Read more about the ceremony here. Photo and Story by Glenn Bartlett (Kansas First News) … [Read more...] about Commemoration Ceremony at the Tree of Healing
Victim Voices
Video: Father of Murder Victim Shares Why He Opposes Death Penalty
Bob Hessman, Dodge City, shares the story of his and his wife's efforts to forgive the man who murdered their daughter. … [Read more...] about Video: Father of Murder Victim Shares Why He Opposes Death Penalty
Kansas Op-Ed: Neely Goen, Daughter of Murder Victim, Opposes Death Penalty
Neely Goen never met her father. His name was Conroy O’Brien, and he was a Kansas state trooper who was murdered in the line of duty. Neely told her story, and how she came to oppose the death penalty, in an op-ed to the Wichita Eagle published today. Neely wrote: “My father’s murder, along with other cases, led people to call for a … [Read more...] about Kansas Op-Ed: Neely Goen, Daughter of Murder Victim, Opposes Death Penalty
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
September 25th marks the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Last year, 116 Kansans lost their lives to murder. Every one was someone’s child, friend or family member. Today we pause to remember the many Kansans who have lost their lives to murder over the years. We extend our deepest sympathy to their families and … [Read more...] about National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
KCADP Member Featured in Local Faith Magazine
In the spring issue of Voices of Charity magazine, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth have featured KCADP member Carolyn Zimmerman and her work against the death penalty. Zimmerman, whose father was murdered in January 1969, uses her experience as the daughter of a murder victim to advocate for repeal of the death penalty in Kansas. To read the … [Read more...] about KCADP Member Featured in Local Faith Magazine
Excellent Opinion Piece Published in the Emporia Gazette
On December 16, 2011, the Emporia Gazette published a column by Bob Grover entitled, "Abolish the death penalty in Kansas" which outlined many reasons that the death penalty in Kansas should be replaced with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Grover approaches this topic from a variety of angles, including cost, deterrence, fairness, and … [Read more...] about Excellent Opinion Piece Published in the Emporia Gazette
Victim Voices: Marilyn J. Trechter "My Own Journey As an Abolitionist"
TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY My Own Journey As An Abolitionist by Marilyn J. Trechter My own journey toward abolition actually began on April 4, 1968. On the day before my sixteenth birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered. What impressed me was that I was so saddened by the riots that occurred as a response to the murder. This man was an Apostle … [Read more...] about Victim Voices: Marilyn J. Trechter "My Own Journey As an Abolitionist"
Victim Voices: Celeste Dixon
"In 1986 my mother was raped and murdered in her rural home outside Houston. The murderer was eventually convicted and sentenced to death, an outcome I was initially happy with. Eventually I realized killing him was not going to bring her back. I forgave this man for what he had done—not for him, but for me. I realized supporting the death penalty meant that I was actively … [Read more...] about Victim Voices: Celeste Dixon
Victim Voices: Carol Samuelson
"When my 28 year old daughter Amy was murdered by the father of her 22 month old son, I had to rethink my belief in capital punishment. Some day his son will ask about his birth dad, and I would have to explain everything to him. How could I explain his father was killed because he killed Amy? If I cannot explain the logic of the death penalty to a child, then it is wrong. I … [Read more...] about Victim Voices: Carol Samuelson
Victim Voices: Candy Ruff
"Because my brother was murdered in 1982, I am often asked if I want his perpetrator to be punished with the death penalty. My unequivocal answer is NO. My faith confirms my belief that the person who took my brother's life will pay for his crime in the here after. The punishment the Lord has in mind is much harsher than anything our legal system could inflict on earth. … [Read more...] about Victim Voices: Candy Ruff