Lawmaker Wants Death for Molesters (Three Years After Measure Became Law in Oklahoma)
August 14th, 2009
Note: The Oklahoma Legislature enacted a law in 2006, SB 1800, that provides for the death penalty or life without parole for child molesters convicted of a second or subsequent offense. Read a news release on that measure's passage from 2006 by clicking here and story from "The Oklahoman" website on the bill by clicking here; also, Senator Jay Paul Gumm, chief legislative proponent of the measure, appeared on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" in June 2006 to discuss the bill's passage. You can watch that video by clicking here. Also, Senator Gumm responded to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that a Louisiana law allowing the death penalty on a first offense was unconstitutional; you can read that news release by clicking here.
The following Associated Press story was initiated by a news release issued today by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state lawmaker says he plans to file legislation next year to impose life in prison or the death penalty on repeat child molesters.
Rep. Rex Duncan of Sand Springs announced plans for the bill Friday. But a state senator says similar legislation he authored in 2006 is already in state law.
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm of Durant says his bill made Oklahoma one of the first states to enact the death penalty for repeat child molesters. However, a similar Louisiana law was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008.
Duncan says his idea is the result of the arrest of Marcus Berry. Berry is a 2-time convicted sex offender who allegedly kidnapped a 2-year-old girl from her front yard in Tulsa on Wednesday.
Associated Press - August 14, 2009 5:55 PM ET