Murdering Innocence

A recent Supreme Court ruling stated that child rapists can not be executed. The ruling stated that it would go beyond the "evolving standards of decency" in the United States. By those standards it would forbid capital punishment for any crime against an individual other than murder.

It began with the case of the State of Louisiana v Kennedy. Kennedy, 43 was appealing his 2003 death sentence after he was convicted of raping his 8 year old stepdaughter. Kennedy was convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter in her bed. The attack caused severe emotional trauma, internal injuries and bleeding to the child, requiring extensive surgery. Although the High Court acknowledged "the victim's fright, the sense of betrayal, and the nature of her injuries caused more prolonged physical and mental suffering than, say, a sudden killing by an unseen assassin.", they sited the rapist's Eight Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment.

We all know child molesters/predators can not be rehabilitated. We never know how many victims they have until they are caught. Given the opportunity to be back in society they will continue to prey upon our little ones until they are caught again. How many lives have to be destroyed before that is considered cruel and unusual? Even after these animals are caught and caged there is a child who is scared for life. No amount of therapy will restore their lost childhood. There will never be enough hugs to take away the nightmares that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. There is a trust that is shattered beyond repair.

Although many do not believe in an eye for an eye, doesn't that child deserve the reassurance that the predator will never be able to hurt anyone else again? I know statistically the death penalty is not a deterrent but it definitely makes sure that guy won't be able to commit the crime again.