Senate panel OKs death penalty for repeat child sex offenders

A Senate panel approved a bill allowing the death penalty for repeat child sex offenders Tuesday but said major work remains on the proposal. Senate Bill 5, the "Jessica's Law" urged by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, now advances to the full Senate.

The law is named for Jessica Lunsford of Florida, a 9-year-old girl who was abducted, raped and killed. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee vote was 5-1 with one member abstaining. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott joined Dewhurst at the hearing in supporting the bill, which calls for a minimum 25-year sentence for violent child sex offenses and life without parole or death for second offenses. Abbott brushed off concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court might find the death penalty unconstitutional for crimes that do not end in death. Noting that the court barred the death penalty in a rape case 30 years ago, Abbott said he sees a "greater chance" the high court may allow the death penalty for repeat, felony sexual assault against children. "I would proudly and personally go up to the United States Supreme Court and defend the constitutionality of this case, this legislation, which I think is the right legislation for the state of Texas," said Abbott.

source: Article 'Senate panel OKs death penalty for repeat child sex offenders' by Polly Ross Hughes; www.familybadge.org/screenprint.cfm?newsletterid=17408; Family Badge; 14 March 2007