Kentucky Capital Case Litigation Initiative - 2010

The purpose of the Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI) is to provide high-quality training and technical assistance on death penalty issues to prosecutors and defense counsel who litigate death penalty cases. This program focuses on ensuring quality representation in death penalty cases and trials. The goals of CCLI are to increase the number of capital litigation attorneys trained in death penalty cases, and to ensure that defense counsel and prosecutors have the most up-to-date and comprehensive information available to them on death penalty litigation.

The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet will utilize the CCLI grant funds to train defense counsel and prosecutors. Kentucky will build on their 2009 CCLI award by hiring consultants to train on death penalty litigation and related mental health issues. Through the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA), a five-day training conference for defense attorneys will be held. DPA will also provide two regional trainings, six distance learning events, and consultation on individual cases. They will also update the Death Penalty Manual and Motion Bank. Through the Prosecutors Advisory Council (PAC), two capital litigation-only training sessions will be held. Each session will run two-and-a-half days long and will train 30 prosecutors. The PAC will also develop a bank of motions and responses relevant to capital litigation which will be distributed to prosecutors upon request.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys will be trained through this grant to serve as trainers themselves. Thus, trainings will be able to continue after this project is completed.

CA/NCF