Warner: We Must Properly Punish Convicted Child Rapists
HARRISBURG – Calling the rape or sexual assault of a child one of the most heinous crimes plaguing our society, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) has introduced legislation that would allow a person convicted of such a crime to be sentenced to death.
“Sexual crimes committed against innocent children cause an unimaginable level of trauma from which no one can fully recover,” Warner said. “While we must do all we can to protect our children from this sort of evil, we must also ensure the punishment assigned to people who commit such acts reflects the absolute horror of the crime.”
Under the bill, which is modeled after a law that recently took effect in Florida, a person convicted of rape of a child or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child would be subject to a sentencing hearing in which the jury would determine if the defendant should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
Warner believes it is time to take a stand and use every tool available to protect Pennsylvania’s children.
The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.