A2
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
www.iolaregister.com
The Iola Register
Obituary
Special session to address ‘Hard 50’ law
Robert Sharp
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators plan to make quick work of fixing the state’s “Hard 50” criminal sentencing law during the special session that begins today, but their discussions ahead of the opening gavels have raised other issues about punishing murderers. Lawmakers from both parties see widespread agreement on legislation to rewrite the law allowing defendants convicted of premeditated, first-degree murder to be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 50 years. A U.S. Supreme Court decision in June raised questions about the law’s constitutionality. A joint legislative committee already has tinkered with a proposal for fixing the law from Attorney General Derek Schmidt, and legislative leaders hope the final version of the measure will pass by Wednesday evening. The issue is relatively simple: Having juries weigh evidence on whether the “Hard 50” should be imposed, rather than trial court judges, as is the case now. But in working on a quick fix last week, legislators already were pondering whether a repaired “Hard 50” law is tough enough, particularly after they boosted penalties for violent sex offenses and other crimes such as human trafficking in recent years. That, in turn, is
Robert E. “Bob” Sharp, 90, Humboldt, passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. Robert Eugene Sharp was born July 20, 1923, in Elsmore. He grew up east of Humboldt and was baptized at the Humboldt Methodist Church in 1924. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1941 and went to the Navy in 1945. Bob married Margaret Drummond in 1948. They lived west of Humboldt and were in Robert Sharp the cattle business since 1950. Bob always raised and marketed feeder calves. He attended auctions throughout southeast Kansas and was well known amongst cattle buyers and industry leaders. He was still actively buying calves two weeks ago. Bob was mayor of Humboldt from 2007 to 2011. Using his ranching management skills he provided vision, leadership, and direction. To increase citizen involvement, growth committees were created which became action teams involving downtown Humboldt, businesses, and housing. Many people have been and continue to be involved in the accomplishments of Humboldt. Some of the initiatives which took place during his administration include new water mains, new sewer lines, city beautification, swimming pool and park renovation, recruitment of a Dollar General store, and Sterling Heights housing. Humboldt created a new subdivision for Sterling Heights, the first new subdivision for Humboldt in decades. His ultimate vision for Humboldt was for the citizens to be proud of their community and be an active part in rebuilding and restoring a vibrant, dynamic community. Bob was a member of the American Legion in Chanute, Humboldt United Methodist Church, Kansas Livestock Association, and the Kansas State University Steer a Year club. He is survived by his son Craig and wife Sussie Sharp, Humboldt, daughter Ann and husband Bregg Smith, Denton, Texas, and daughter Jean and husband Clarence Waters, Omaha, Neb. He has six granddaughters, two grandsons, and a grandson-inlaw. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 1992, and by his sister Helen Kraxberger. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Humboldt United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, at Humboldt United Methodist Church. Memorials can be made to the Bob Sharp Memorial fund and will go to the Kansas State University Department of Animal Science scholarships. Memorials may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola. Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Calendar Tue
Th F
Allen County Historical Society board meetings, 7 p.m., Allen County Historical museum. Knights of Columbus, 7 p.m., KofC Room in the St. John Parish Center.
Rotary Club, noon, The Greenery. TOPS No. KS 880 5 p.m. weigh in, 5:30 p.m. meeting, Calvary United Methodist Church Iola Public Library board meeting, 6 p.m., Iola Public Library.
Senior Citizens Card Club, 5:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Center. Bowlus speaker series and art show, “The Art of Jessie Montes” and “A Kansan You Should Know,” Duane West, reception at 6 p.m. and speaker at 7 p.m.
Today
John Hanna An AP news analysis likely to spur debate about the Kansas death penalty law, which was enacted in 1994 but so far has resulted in no executions. “Anytime you look at a sentencing provision in the law, it’s bound to generate a discussion about whether that sentence and other parts of our sentencing guidelines are reflective of the appropriate punishment,” said House Minority Leader Paul Davis, a Lawrence Democrat. Legislative leaders want to avoid a broader debate over criminal sentencing until lawmakers convene their next regular, annual session in January. When Republican Gov. Sam Brownback scheduled the Legislature’s special session last month, his proclamation called for lawmakers to finish their work by Thursday. Each day costs taxpayers about $40,000. Because lawmakers are in session, the Senate is legally obligated to consider pending appointments, including Brownback’s nomination of his chief counsel, Caleb Stegall, to the state Court of Appeals. Democrats in each chamber also want to soften a state law requiring new voters to provide proof of their
Tomorrow
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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An economic index compiled from a survey of business leaders in nine Midwest and Plains states rose slightly last month, the first increase since March. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index hit 53.8 in August, compared with 53.5 in July. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the results point to growth for the final quarter of this year but at about half the rate of the first quarter. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth.
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Kansas law, trial court judges decide whether aggravating factors, such as a defendant torturing a victim or shooting into a crowd intending to kill a single victim, warrants the “Hard 50.” The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June in a Virginia case that juries, not judges, must decide whether evidence warrants a mandatory minimum sentence. The proposal before lawmakers contemplates having the same juries that consider a defendant’s guilt determine whether the “Hard 50” is warranted. The measure calls for new sentencing hearings before juries in pending cases. “This is going to slide through with little opposition,” said Sen. David Haley of Kansas City, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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U.S. citizenship when they register, but the effort isn’t likely to get far because the policy was backed by GOP conservatives now in control. Meanwhile, the “Hard 50” fix is generating little controversy, except for skepticism among defense attorneys that the changes can be applied retroactively to cases in which defendants are awaiting trial or have sentences on appeal. That issue probably will be settled ultimately by the Kansas Supreme Court, but lawmakers generally don’t want defendants in pending cases to get the alternative sentence, life in prison with parole eligibility in 25 years. “As far as I know, there’s universal agreement,” said Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, a Hutchinson Republican. Under the existing
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