Child Rape Death Penalty Bill Advances In House

Tennessee lawmakers yesterday voted to advance a bill that could make child rapists eligible for the death penalty. The bill heard by the Criminal Justice subcommittee Tuesday states that the death penalty could be used as a punishment for raping a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child.

Some democrat lawmakers are not in support of the bill stating that the current punishment of life in prison is enough. Democrat Gloria Johnson, who is running for US Senate, stated that she fears that victims raped by family members may not come forward if this bill passes, because the family member could face the death penalty if the victim comes forward. Republican William Lamberth, who is the sponsor of the bill in the house, countered that argument saying “Life in prison for these evil people is simply too good,” “They should not be able to live out their days with the rest of us”. That bill now moves to the full House Criminal Justice Committee. The bill has not yet been brought up in the senate.