Child Rape: Life or Death?

"For the first time in 44 years, a state is preparing to execute a man for a felony other than murder. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday on whether Louisiana can use capital punishment in child rape cases. The constitutional question before the justices is whether the death penalty for violent crimes other than homicide constitutes "cruel and unusual" punishment. The high-profile examination of the death penalty also raises anew a national debate over selective prosecution and race."--CNN

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[tubebunny7]

{cont.)

I was a bit unfortunate with the term "child rapist". I mean someone that rapes a child. Why punish someone who can't supposedly reason more than someone who can reason, like someone who rapes an adult? If anything there is a history to treat those that are insane somewhat favorable than someone who isn't insane.

Regarding no possibility of innocence, there is no such thing. There will always be some doubt for different reasons but if we exclude doubt we wouldn't have anyone in prison.

[tubebunny7]

Well you have to include that it's uncommon to give the death sentence for raping a child so it's not like it's something earth shatteringly different. Your analogy doesn't hold up because it doesn't pertain to the same victim of victims. If you rape and then kill the victim you have silenced them from them being a possible witness in court at no additional cost. A rapist that rapes again well I don't view it as the same as a murderer that murders again.

[Ragnorckgorgonash]

I am afraid you have mentally separated the phrase "child rapist" with he act of raping a child...or perhaps you have misunderstood and believe that it refers to a child that commits rape.

If we were to limit punishment because there is a more heinous crime possible (in your opinion) then were do we stop??? 'Yes, he killed a woman...but only one woman'...'yes he killed a family of four, but four...not five!"

[tubebunny7]

Protecting society doesn't happen by putting a death penalty on a crime when there is a more heinous crime that can be committed without threat of more punishment or better chances to be caught. The assumption that these types of criminals are all mad men without any reasoning is just silly. But if they have no reasoning why would it protect society more by killing child rapists? You would think an ordinary rapist might be easier deterred by a possible death sentence.

[cabalofdemons]

this guy wont get out though. No parole. Ive visited prison and it's not a fun place to be, No matter how the media says that prisoners get if easy, prison is no paradise.

[Ragnorckgorgonash]

prison and the death penalty exist for the protection of society, not for the punishment of criminals...I don't think that a child rapist can point to anyone and say "he is a greater threat than I".

The death penalty should be used in those extreme cases where there is no possibility of innocence, no way that a DNA test done years later will exonerate the accused.

The reason you have given for not applying the death penalty, is a "reason" these types of criminals do not practice reasoning.

[hatertribe]

People love that image of vindication, but it is really a delusion. This may be true for high profile media cases, but for the average case most people like this keep to themselves, do their time, and are out after ten years or so.

Prison is not the madhouse some people like to think it is, but I suppose for some the delusion provides a deterrant to crime.

[cabalofdemons]

You could be right. Besides, the fact that he is never getting out of jail is bad enough. Unless they isolate this guy from the prison population, he won't make it in prison.

[ericblr]

You know what, although I still disagree with the Supreme courts decision to overstep its bounds, maybe it is better for the bastard to be in prison. I forgot how much torture child molesters go through at the hands of other inmates. As a matter of fact he will probably be getting his just deserts a little faster than what our so called justice system would be able to dish out. I think this perp will be dead within a couple of months.

[cabalofdemons]

The Supreme Court stated that the death penalty being imposed in a child rape case in unconstitutional because it violates the 8th Amendment, cruel and unusual punishment. Besides, the US has not executed a rapist that didn't kill his victim since 1964. I see rapists as scum, but a murderer is the worst. Life without parole is a fine sentence for a rapist.