The merits of the death penalty will be debated at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Wednesday.

Nebraska's Solicitor General J. Kirk Brown will debate University of Colorado sociologist Michael Radelet Wednesday evening.

Brown has worked for the Nebraska Attorney General's office for more than 28 years. Brown defended the death sentences of the last three men Nebraska executed.

Radelet has extensively researched capital punishment and testified in dozens of death penalty cases.

The debate at the Lied Center will be moderated by the dean of UNL's Law College.

The debate is part of the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues that brings speakers to campus each year.