Utah Considers Expansion of Crimes Punishable by Death

[struggle4progress]

January 20th, 2007 @ 12:30pm

By BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press Writer

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- ... Wimmer, a West Valley City police officer, wants some twice-convicted sex offenders eligible for the death penalty as well as anyone who murders a child younger than 14 ...

"It's a feel good measure that not only won't make our kids any safer, but actually could lead to more danger because what incentive would there be for a child molester not to go ahead and kill his victim, so the victim couldn't testify against him?" <Dave Elliott, communications director for the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty> said ...

In addition to Wimmer's bills, Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, is also looking to expand the death penalty's use. His bill would make it a capitol offense if a child died during an aggravated sexual assault or during aggravated child abuse ...

.. a New Jersey report ... Written by a 13-member commission formed in late 2005 by the legislature .. concluded that New Jersey's death penalty, which has not been used in more than four decades, neither deters crime nor helps victims' families because such cases drag on for years ...

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=818700

[pennylane100]

1. A lot of polygamy practicing men

who marry, or force marriage, upon underage children would be put to death under such laws. Thats one way of stopping such a disgusting practice.

[Solo_in_MD]

2. That an innovative approach....I like it

[MountainLaurel]

3. Which is why it won't happen

First time some high-ranking elder gets busted for raping his 10-year-old, you can bet the state will find some way around charging him, and the law will get repealed lickety-split.

[Talya in CT]

4. I fully concur

torture of such men, should also be legal.

I think.