Some Alabama officials pushing for tougher punishment for child sex abusers
Some Alabama lawmakers and other officials want tougher penalties for anyone who sexually abuses a child.
State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) are sponsoring legislation that allow prosecutors to request the death penalty for anyone convicted of rape or sodomy of a child younger than 12 years old.
At a news conference today in Montgomery, they were joined by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall in promoting the legislation.
While the U.S. Supreme Court allows for death penalty in cases involving murder or robbery, both Simpson and Weaver say they are confident that passing their bill will force the court to reconsider its stance on penalties for child sex abuse.
“If in fact this is passed, there will be work done legally to be able to allow this to be enforceable,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said. “I can tell you that if it occurs during my tenure as attorney general, we will make sure that we are defending this law as we’ve done many others that the legislature has passed to be able to send a clear message about not only the intent of the legislature in protecting kids, but the public policy in our state is how we hold those who hurt our children accountable.”
“I believe that there is a special place in hell for child sex predators and when we pass this bill and when it is approved by the courts, there’s also going to be a special place in Alabama for child sex predators and that is on death row in Holman Prison,” State Sen. April Weaver said.
The bill was originally proposed in this year’s legislative session.
