child rape death penalty a national story
As mentioned before, I submitted an amendment to allow for capital punishment to be sought if an offender was twice convicted of raping a child. This amendment has good support and I am optimistic of its passage. We have the opportunity to make SC the safest place in the nation for children.
Also, if this sentencing is challenged in the courts, Attorney General Henry McMaster has promised to defend SC should we pass such legislation.
I have been pleasantly surprised of the recent media exposure. We’ve had interviews with newspapers, local TV stations and radio talk shows. I have 3 appearances scheduled on National TV.
Saturday, March 25 @ 7:00 am – ABC News
Saturday, March 25 @ 10 pm – CNN
Wednesday, March 29 @ 9:00am – Fox News
Bill O’Reilly’s staff has contacted me in the past, but I haven’t been scheduled yet.
There is a scheduled meeting Tuesday morning with invited guests including the USC school of Law, the SC Prosecutors Association, and Att. Gen. McMaster. The purpose of this meeting is to tweak than language of the amendment to better its chances of surviving a constitutional challenge. I applaud Judiciary and Senate Council for their hard work on this issue!
March 24th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
I am proud you are my Senator. I feel that anyone who harms an innocent child should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is absolutely no excuse for this type of criminal behavior.
They should be dealt with harshly and swiftly.
Hang’em high.
March 24th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
I am proud you are my Senator. I feel that anyone who harms an innocent child should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is absolutely no excuse for this type of criminal behavior.
They should be dealt with harshly and swiftly.
Hang’em high.
March 26th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
I agree criminals should be dealt with harshly. But why should harming an innocent child carry more of a penalty than harming an innocent teenager, young adult, baby boomer or senior citizen?
Why should criminals who break the law against kids (and, I assume we’re talking South Carolinians under the age of 17), be punished more - by execution - than criminals who rape or abuse an 18 year old, 32 year old or 65 year old?
It’s more than me not agreeing with the death penalty - it’s more than me not agreeing that sexual molestation deserves the death penalty - it’s pitting one South Carolinian’s emotional anguish and physical harm above another’s - all because of age.
I completely disagree with this amendment.
March 26th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
I agree criminals should be dealt with harshly. But why should harming an innocent child carry more of a penalty than harming an innocent teenager, young adult, baby boomer or senior citizen?
Why should criminals who break the law against kids (and, I assume we’re talking South Carolinians under the age of 17), be punished more - by execution - than criminals who rape or abuse an 18 year old, 32 year old or 65 year old?
It’s more than me not agreeing with the death penalty - it’s more than me not agreeing that sexual molestation deserves the death penalty - it’s pitting one South Carolinian’s emotional anguish and physical harm above another’s - all because of age.
I completely disagree with this amendment.
March 26th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
This amendment applies to capitol punishment for the 2nd conviction of child rape. Both victims must be 11 or under. Why not 12 year olds? Why do we wait until the 2nd conviction? All are good questions, but one must admit that this amendment does provide just sentencing.
March 26th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
This amendment applies to capitol punishment for the 2nd conviction of child rape. Both victims must be 11 or under. Why not 12 year olds? Why do we wait until the 2nd conviction? All are good questions, but one must admit that this amendment does provide just sentencing.
March 27th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
I fully agree with this amendment, You are doing an awsome job so keep it up.
March 27th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
I fully agree with this amendment, You are doing an awsome job so keep it up.
March 28th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
My brother Holden hit it on the head.
There is no excuse for this type of behavior. I know that it will get kicked out of committee, but atleast you have to intestinal fortitude to take this on head on. Most politicians have lost the art of statesmanship, but you have not. To stand up for the innocent and for what you believe is true statesmanship. To stand up for the paid lobbyists and not your constituents is cowardly.
I put you up there with Governor Sanford when it comes to statesmanship. I can’t wait to vote for you in ‘08.
Keep up the good work.
March 28th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
My brother Holden hit it on the head.
There is no excuse for this type of behavior. I know that it will get kicked out of committee, but atleast you have to intestinal fortitude to take this on head on. Most politicians have lost the art of statesmanship, but you have not. To stand up for the innocent and for what you believe is true statesmanship. To stand up for the paid lobbyists and not your constituents is cowardly.
I put you up there with Governor Sanford when it comes to statesmanship. I can’t wait to vote for you in ‘08.
Keep up the good work.