EXECUTE PERVS: POLS

Politicians examining ways to stop violent sexual offenders from striking again are increasingly calling for laws that would allow states to execute repeat child molesters. Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is joining the effort, proposing a plan for a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years for first-time offenders and the possibility of death for a second offense. This year, Oklahoma and South Carolina passed laws allowing the death penalty for the rape of a child. Execution is also an option for offenders who commit certain sex crimes against children in Montana and Louisiana.

(Houston, Texas)