Oaklahoma: death for repeat molesters....

[Dr Mordrid]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)

Oklahoma on Friday became the fifth state to allow the death penalty for certain sex crimes, although legal scholars questioned the constitutionality of the new state law.

Under the measure signed by Gov. Brad Henry, anyone convicted twice for rape, sodomy or lewd molestation involving children under 14 can face the death penalty.

South Carolina's governor signed a similar law on Thursday allowing the death penalty for offenders convicted twice of raping children younger than 11. Louisiana, Florida and Montana also have laws allowing the death penalty for certain sex crimes.

Constitutionality may be far less an issue with the 2 new members of the court confirmed this year.

Dr. Mordrid

[KvHagedorn]

I would have no problem with this if people were rational enough about this issue to be able to tell the difference between rape and statutory, though consensual "rape." Anyone who truly rapes or molests a child is dogmeat as far as I'm concerned, and should die. However, all sexual relationships are not violent and would in no way be considered rape without the arbitrary assignation of an age marker. Define this as involving violence and force and this has my support. Define this as something the young person finds objectionable only after brainwashing and being filled with psychobabble by parents and shrinks, and this is just a license to kill.

[Admiral]

Under the measure signed by Gov. Brad Henry, anyone convicted twice for rape, sodomy or lewd molestation involving children under 14 can face the death penalty.

Ok, if untill now it was based on "an eye for an eye", death for death, right now it's turning into stupid zelotism. Just because so many hineous sex offenses go unpunished or unnoticed by authorities untill it's too late it doesn't mean you should vent your frustration and show you're competent in this manner.

[cjolley]

Ok, if untill now it was based on "an eye for an eye", death for death, right now it's turning into stupid zelotism. Just because so many hineous sex offenses go unpunished or unnoticed by authorities untill it's too late it doesn't mean you should vent your frustration and show you're competent in this manner.

As of now, whatever it is that seems to compell some people to do those things also seems to be uncurable.
So, while I don't like it, this may be all we've got right now.


PS Doc, Gov Henry is one of those dang communist Democrats.

[Dr Mordrid]

Even a stopped clock gets things right once in a while

Dr. Mordrid

[KvHagedorn]

This sort of open-ended definition just lends itself to abuse. Just like those people with pics of their kids in the bathtub being charged with "child pornography," if you give your child a bath, well, that's "lewd molestation" and we are gonna hang ya for that!

[Jessterw]

Well we have a similar law in Florida, which, to the best of my knowledge, has never shown indications of abuse. The Oklahoma law doesn't make death penalty a must, just an option for those cases that appear to warrant such an extreme measure.

Remember, the accused has to have performed such an act at least once before, and a second conviction on one of those almost always (can't think of a case that shows otherwise off hand) points to someone who is guilty. Sex offenders more often than not are repeat offenders.

We'll see, but I imagine the death option will only be recommended in those cases that make all our stomaches turn. As opposed to those ones that involve true "love" crossing the boundaries of age.

[Admiral]

As of now, whatever it is that seems to compell some people to do those things also seems to be uncurable.
So, while I don't like it, this may be all we've got right now.

I don't know how to put it, if what compells some people to do what they do is uncurable, this new law might not determine them to stop out of fear, it can make them be more cautious not to get caught.

My first impression was "just another Clinton three felonies life in prison law", only this one is more serious since it can envolve execution. Will the new law really reduce the rate of such offenses or is it just aimed at quelling the fears and frustrations of the general population ?
It also creates a precedent for this type of approach in future laws, in the next decade who knows what three strikes we hang you will apply to.