The Carr brothers were convicted in 2000 for capital murder after a case involving the terrorizing of a group of five friends in Wichita, followed by the victims being forced into a field before shooting. Four of the victims died.
Kelly’s action follows Kansas’ clemency process for death-sentenced individuals: an application is submitted to the Prisoner Review Board, which must give 30-day notice to victims, the prosecuting attorney, and the sentencing judge. After the notice period, the Prisoner Review Board is required to submit a report to the governor within 120 days, and the governor cannot act until that report is received (or if it has not been submitted by the 120-day mark).
NewsRadio 1150 KSAL covered the denial, noting that, as of July 14, 2026, the governor’s office has also denied clemency applications from John Robinson in addition to Reginald and Jonathan Carr.