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Senate committee advances bill to add death penalty for certain child sexual offenses amid constitutional warnings
Summary
Senate Judiciary members advanced S.B. 284 to make certain aggravated sexual offenses against children eligible for capital punishment. Supporters described the measure as accountability for the most egregious crimes; defense lawyers warned the change likely conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent and would invite constitutional challenges.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance S.B. 284, a proposal to authorize capital punishment for specified aggravated sexual offenses against victims younger than 14 under narrowly defined circumstances.
Sponsor Senator Garner framed the bill as addressing "the truly worst of the worst" crimes against children and said the provision restores what supporters view as appropriate maximum penalties. "Many states have laws on the books that will allow capital…
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