Scott Dever Cheever, who was sentenced to death on Jan. 23, 2008 for the capital murder of Sheriff Matt Samuels, recently applied for executive clemency, requesting that his death sentence be commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A public notice can be found on page 12 of this week’s edition.
In Kansas, executive clemency is a constitutional process that allows the governor to reduce a criminal sentence after receiving a recommendation from the Kansas Prisoner Review Board. The review process includes an examination of court records, prison conduct, disciplinary history, victim impact statements, and public input before the board issues its recommendation to the governor.
A commutation does not erase a conviction. Instead, it changes the punishment imposed by the court. In Cheever’s case, the request seeks to replace his death sentence with a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
Cheever’s recent conduct while incarcerated may also be considered during the clemency review. In March 2026, while housed at Lansing Correctional Facility, he pleaded no contest to attempted trafficking in contraband after correctional officers discovered a cellphone concealed inside a homemade knee brace during a November 2024 search. Prosecutors said contraband cellphones pose significant security risks because they allow unmonitored communication inside correctional facilities. As part of the clemency process, members of the public may submit written comments regarding the request within 15 days of the publication notice. Comments should be directed to: Kansas Department of Corrections, Prisoner Review Board, Jayhawk Walk, 714 SW Jackson, Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66603-3722.
The final decision on whether to grant clemency rests solely with the governor after review of the Prisoner Review Board’s recommendation and all submitted materials.
