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Some GOP-led states seek to bring back death penalty for child rape convictions
The bill expands capital punishment to child rape and torture under 12, joining at least five other Republican-led states with similar laws, aiming to prompt a Supreme Court review.
- Alabama has approved legislation to allow the death penalty for rape and sexual torture of children under 12, despite a 2008 Supreme Court ruling that such sentences violate the Eighth Amendment.
- Republican Rep. Matt Simpson said getting the Supreme Court to revisit the issue will require a test case reaching the high court, with enough states passing similar laws.
- Five states have passed similar bills in recent years, and Alabama's legislation followed a case of an alleged child sex trafficking ring in which victims as young as 3 were raped and tortured.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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A bill set to be signed into law by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey allows prosecutors to go for the death penalty in cases of first-degree child sexual abuse, something the Supreme Court decided was unconstitutional almost two decades ago.
Child Predator Death Penalty Act heads to Gov. Kay Ivey's desk
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDHN) — The Child Predator Death Penalty Act is headed to the governor’s desk for final signature. The Alabama Senate gave the bill final passage today after debate. State senators on both sides of the aisle voted to make sex crimes against children punishable by the death penalty. Some Democratic members voted in [...]
Alabama Legislature sends bill extending death penalty to child sexual assault to Gov. Kay Ivey
Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, walks to her seat in the Alabama Senate on May 1, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Senate passed HB 41, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, which Weaver carried in the Senate, that extends the death penalty to those convicted of child sexual assault. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the deat…
Associated Press News
Some GOP-led states seek to bring back death penalty for child rape convictions
A growing number of Republican-led states are seeking to revive the death penalty for child rape. Alabama lawmakers approved legislation that would allow child rapists to be sentenced to death.
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