Death Penalty for Repeat Child Molesters Wins Approval in OK Senate

[Sam Spade]

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=4597682

SB 1747 Could Be Signed into Law in Matter of Days

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill aimed at creating a safer Oklahoma by giving juries in Oklahoma the option of sentencing repeat child molesters to life without parole or the death penalty received approval of the full Senate today.

The bill’s author, Senator Jay Paul Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, explained Senate Bill 1747 passed with a bi-partisan majority vote with the title on; meaning the bill could be signed into law as early as next week if the House agrees to fast track the measure.

"By keeping the title on the bill, we are sending it to the House in hopes of getting the bill to the Governor’s desk with rapid speed," Gumm said. "We as a Legislature should leave no stone unturned in our effort to protect the children of Oklahoma."

The Senator said government has to greater moral obligation than to ensure the safety and well being of its citizens.

"Those who repeatedly prey on our children in this unspeakable manner should face the most severe penalties allowed under our justice system," said Gumm, who also serves as Assistant Majority Leader in the Senate.

Senate Bill 1747 would make repeat child molesters subject to the death penalty or life without parole. That, Gumm said, would let the justice system better protect children from those sex offenders who never will be rehabilitated.

"There are too many stories of child molesters who are set free only to shatter the life of another innocent child," he said. "I want to make certain that in Oklahoma we are doing everything we can to ensure that never happens here in our state."

Gumm’s bill expands on the new Oklahoma law making the most heinous repeat offenders subject to the death penalty. The lawmaker noted that child sexual abuse has lifelong ramifications.

"We allow the death penalty for those who kill the body," he said. "Why wouldn’t we have the same penalty for someone who kills a soul?" Gumm said as a parent and lawmaker, he wants the strongest laws possible on the books to protect Oklahoma’s children.

He thanked Senator Jonathan Nichols for working with him to ensure the bill that passed off the Senate floor today was the strongest bill possible to protect the lives of Oklahoma children.

"By sending a message to those who repeatedly prey on our children that Oklahoma will not tolerate this sort of horrible crime, we are doing our part to create a safer Oklahoma for all our citizens." Gumm concluded.

[afleitch]

Life without parole is fine by me. But I'm against the death penalty in all cases.

[Umengus]

Very good law. I'm happy to see there are still real democrats in USA (and specially in the South).

[Sam Spade]

The Democratic party in Oklahoma is still very strong at the state and local level.  This bill shows part of the reason why they still are.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

IIRC the Democrats still have a majority in the State Senate out there.

[MODU]

Good bill!

[Sam Spade]

IIRC the Democrats still have a majority in the State Senate out there.

Correct.

Totals right now are:

State House: 57R - 44D
State Senate: 26D - 22R

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Can't we make them just do hard unpaid labor for the rest of their lives?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

But I'm against the death penalty in all cases.

I am too, but it's absurd that child molesters get a lighter punishment than other criminals.

They need to have a "one strike" law for child molesters, in which all child molesters shall be sentenced to prison for life, in solitary confinement and with no chance for parole. Meals shall consist only of bread and salted water, and no sunlight shall ever enter the cell. There shall be no TV, radio, books, music, games, or other amusements.

Think how bored one would get having to stare at the same 4 walls for the rest of their life. Child molesters deserve no fun for the remainder of their years.

Unfortunately, convicted child molesters usually get just a hand slap nowadays. They're back out again after a few months - if they even go to prison at all.

[Frodo]

I'm 110% behind this bill.

[ian]

But I'm against the death penalty in all cases.

I am too, but it's absurd that child molesters get a lighter punishment than other criminals.

They need to have a "one strike" law for child molesters, in which all child molesters shall be sentenced to prison for life, in solitary confinement and with no chance for parole. Meals shall consist only of bread and salted water, and no sunlight shall ever enter the cell. There shall be no TV, radio, books, music, games, or other amusements.

Think how bored one would get having to stare at the same 4 walls for the rest of their life. Child molesters deserve no fun for the remainder of their years.

Unfortunately, convicted child molesters usually get just a hand slap nowadays. They're back out again after a few months - if they even go to prison at all.

What he said.

[TheresNoMoney]

This sounds like something they do in middle eastern Fundamentalist countries.


Why the obsession with the death penalty? Why not just lock them up for life?

[Gabu]

This sounds like something they do in middle eastern Fundamentalist countries.

No, in Middle Eastern countries, the child would be put to death, at least if it was female.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

No, in Middle Eastern countries, the child would be put to death, at least if it was female.

I didn't know Florida was in the Middle East.

[Gabu]

No, in Middle Eastern countries, the child would be put to death, at least if it was female.

I didn't know Florida was in the Middle East.

I can't recall of an instance where a Floridan was put to death for being raped.

[afleitch]

But I'm against the death penalty in all cases.

I am too, but it's absurd that child molesters get a lighter punishment than other criminals.

I also said in the same line, 'Life without parole is fine by me.' I thought i'd re-iterate that before people start thinking I am against cracking down on child molestation

[jacob_101]

Wow, a little extreme if you ask me.  A long prison sentence would suffice.

[nclib]

Death penalty for murder is bad enough; death penalty for anything else is ridiculous.

Life in prison without parole for repeat offenders is fine.

[The Dowager Mod]

Idiotic.
Give them life no parole + Castration, the death penalty is wrong in every case.

[bullmoose88]

Yeah...I agree with bandit here...

though the texas lady's idea of castration...seems appropriate.

[Democratic Hawk]

Incarcerate them in cells with a bucket, a mattrass and a blanket. No luxuries, no visitors, no privileges, nothing. Give them bread and water. Let them out once a week for the shower because you don't want them any more dirty than they are already

Generally, I oppose the death penalty. Genocide is the one exception

Dave

[Jake]

Dave

I think that situation would more violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause than the death penalty does, but I agree. Long as they're locked up for life and suffer like hell, I'm good.

[opebo]

Legalize it!

[??????????]

Yeah...I agree with bandit here...

though the texas lady's idea of castration...seems appropriate.

Castration doesn't work because although you have clipped the sexual organs and therefore can not impregnate anyone the urge of the dysfunction still exists in the mind. It's as good as cutting off a serial killers arm.

I think this bill is stand up, and it's about time states start doing this to trash.

[HardRCafé]

Very good law. I'm happy to see there are still real democrats in USA (and specially in the South).

Thanks, I overlooked that at first.  Gumm is a Democrat I could be proud to support.