Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill creating a sentence...

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill creating a sentence of life in prison without parole as an alternative to the death penalty in capital murder cases. The law takes effect July 1. Proponents of the sentencing alternative saw it as way to avoid costs associated with capital punishment by encouraging juries to recommend nondeath sentences. Those supporters have said due-process requirements affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court create additional costs when a defendant faces execution. 38 states have capital punishment, but only Kansas, New Mexico and Texas lacked the alternative of life without parole.