A debatable bill that would make the death penalty an option for those found guilty of specific sex grimes against pre-teen children passed the Idaho House although the bill’s sponsor has noted that the bill could possibly be unconstitutional.
It is noted that House Bill-515 was created to give the maximum penalty for the most horrific crimes committed against children 11 years of age and younger. Additionally, HB-515 would correlate with first-degree murder.
“There is a deep, dark, dark side in our culture, and it’s our job to protect the children. There are times when things are so wicked that retribution is appropriate. It would be very rare that this case would happen, but it will happen. And I say to you when you see that case, you read it in the newspaper you’re going to say this is the one case that needs to happen,” stated Rep. Bruce Skaug.
The hope is that the U.S. supreme Court will comb through the Idaho bill and provide a ruling that would allow an expansion for the death penalty.
The bill is now going to the Senate for a committee review.
