Alabama House Approves Death Penalty Bill For Child Predators
After much emotional debate on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives today, a bill adding another capital murder offense to the state's criminal code was approved. House Bill 41, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne), would establish the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, If the legislation co-sponsored by West Alabama house members, Russell Bedsole (R-16), Ron Bolton (R-61), Bryan Brinyark (R-16), and Bill Lamb (R-62) eventually becomes law it would add three new capital offenses to the existing list:- rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and sexual torture, all of which now become capital offenses when the victim is less than 12 years old.
Senate Bill 17, sponsored Sen. April Weaver (R-14) and co-sponsored by Cottondale Sen. Gerald Allen (R-21) is an upper chamber companion bill to the just passed house bill. It is still awaiting action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Today's debate was highlighted by pushback from Tuscaloosa Democrat Rep. Chris England (D-70) and other minority party members who question the constitutionality of establishing the death penalty for an act in which the victim did not lose their life. They also voiced concern that if the bill becomes law, more perpetrators will kill their victims to keep them from identifying them.
“Anyone who violates the innocence of a child represents the very worst of humanity and has no place in this world,” Rep. Nathanial Ledbetter (R-24) responded in an emotional statement during debate.
Gov. Ivey endorsed the measure during her State of the State address two weeks ago and says she will sign it into law when it makes it to her desk.
Both bills were introduced in the aftermath of the arrest of eight adults who are charged with various alleged child sexual abuse crimes, including trafficking, in the Bibb County town of Brent last year. Trial in that case is set for March in Bibb County Circuit Court.
The bill now goes to the senate where it will be reconciled with Weaver's legislation.
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