Governor’s Column - May 9, 2008
by Governor Matt Blunt
Death Penalty for Child Rapists
Protecting our children is of paramount importance to Missouri families, and I have called for, fought for, and signed some of the toughest laws in the nation relating to violent child predators. We have made significant improvements, but we can do even more. The prospect of the ultimate punishment of death will serve as an effective deterrent against reprehensible acts of violence against children.
As governor, I have worked to make Missouri a safer place for all children. In 2006, we passed one of America's strongest versions of Jessica's Law to ensure that dangerous sexual predators spend at least 30 years in prison and are monitored their entire lives if they ever get out. We also created Cyber Crimes Task Forces to help law enforcement catch predators before a child comes to harm.
Recently a man in Springfield was accused of brutally assaulting and raping a 7-year-old girl and leaving her for dead in a burning house. And last year, we learned of one of the worst offenders of all, Michael Devlin. Unfortunately, prosecutors in both cases were not able to seek our most serious punishment. That should change.
Violent sex crimes against children are among the worst crimes that any criminal could commit. Child predators attack the innocent and defenseless, and the pain they inflict is permanent - in many cases physically and in all cases emotionally. As a society, we work to make life better for these victims. But we cannot make everything right. These evil predators rob our children of their youth and innocence. And they deserve the most serious punishment we can possibly deliver, both as a matter of justice and deterrence.
In January, I asked the General Assembly to pass legislation to give Missouri prosecutors the ultimate tool against child predation. I urge the General Assembly to send me legislation making the rape of a Missouri child punishable by death.
A recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of lethal injection, and cleared the way for states to resume the ultimate punishment for violent and dangerous criminals. That same day, I called on the Missouri Supreme Court to start setting execution dates. For the sake of the justice, for the sake of the safety of all Missourians, and for the sake of the victims' families seeking closure, we must move forward with the just sentences handed down by Missouri juries.
The worst crimes deserve the most serious punishments. Those who commit violent sex crimes against children are the worst criminals. They victimize the innocent and defenseless, and they deserve the death penalty.