Foes hope to stall death penalty

By JOHN L. PETTERSON,

TOPEKA � Rather than attempting to abolish the death penalty in Kansas, opponents on Wednesday endorsed a plan to stall it for two years. In appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee they voiced support for legislation that would prohibit a person convicted of a capital crime from being sentenced to death for the next two years.

The measure also would prohibit any executions during that time.

John Vratil, a Leawood Republican who is chairman of the committee, noted that the bill went beyond just a moratorium. "It temporarily repeals the death penalty for two years," Vratil said.