Politicians Outraged by Child Rape Ruling
By John Jessup
CBN News Washington Correspondent
June 26, 2008
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - Angry politicians are sounding a defiant tone, after yesterday's supreme court ruling banning the death penalty for those who commit the crime of child rape.
The Fallout
Dissent from the high court's ruling reverberated around the country from Louisiana - the state where the case originated - to various levels of government.
"I think the rationale for this ruling was faulty - was absurd," Louisiana's Governor Bobby Jindal said.
There was even outrage on the campaign trail, where both contenders for the White House condemned the justices' decision.
And some states promised to keep looking for ways to hand down the death sentence for child rapists.
That's a shot taking direct aim on the court's split five to four ruling, in Which Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority, saying the rape of a young child does not warrant the death penalty.
"We cannot dismiss the years of long anguish that must be endured by the victim of child rape. It does not follow, though, that capital punishment is a proportionate remedy for the crime," Kennedy wrote in his opinion.
But Justice Sam Alito wrote a stinging dissent.
"In the eyes of ordinary Americans, the very worst child rapists - predators who seek out and inflict serious physical and emotional injury on defenseless young children - are the epitome of moral depravity," Alito said.
Some praised the court's ruling for considering the victim.
"Usually it's a trusted adult, someone they care about, is now gonna be put to death because they told, that's adding an extra trauma to that child," said Jody Pauche, a victim of child rape.
It Ain't Over Yet
Those who say the punishment fits the crime vow to keep fighting.
"All child rapists no matter how violent, no matter how sadistic, no matter how cruel, all child rapists are categorically ineligible for the death penalty," Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz said.
The court's decision brings into question how some states, considering similar laws, will proceed.
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