Alabama Pushes for Death Penalty in Child Rape Cases

Alabama lawmakers moved forward with a bill allowing the death penalty for child rapists, hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will reassess its 2008 decision that deemed such punishment unconstitutional. Despite support, opponents question its morality and financial burden, resembling strategies used in challenging Roe v. Wade.

Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a divisive piece of legislation that could see child rapists facing the death penalty, as Republicans in the state aim to compel the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its existing ban on capital punishment for such crimes.

The Alabama House of Representatives voted 86-5 in favor of the bill, which grants prosecutors the ability to seek the death penalty when an adult is convicted of raping or sodomizing a child under the age of 12. This legislation now heads to the Alabama Senate for further consideration.

Critics argue that this approach mirrors strategies employed by conservative states to overturn landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade and raises questions about the constitutionality and financial implications because it appears at odds with current Supreme Court precedent.

(With inputs from agencies.)