This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Is the death penalty appropriate for child rape?
The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision Thursday in a case involving the death penalty for child rape.
Patrick Kennedy is on death row in Louisiana for brutally and violently raping his 8-year old stepdaughter.
ABC News reports:
“In 1998, Patrick O. Kennedy called 911 to report that his 8-year-old stepdaughter had just been raped.
Kennedy blamed two boys from his suburban New Orleans neighborhood for the attack and told police that the boys had fled on bicycles.
But police soon suspected Kennedy of the crime.
At trial, the girl, who had required surgery after the attack, testified that Kennedy had raped her and that he had coached her to lie to police.
Testimony at trial also revealed that Kennedy had called a carpet cleaning company about removing bloodstains from his carpet even before dialing 911.
Kennedy's crime was considered so heinous that he was sentenced to death under Louisiana law, which imposes the death penalty for the rape of a child.”
Some argue that Kennedy’s crime is more heinous than a homicide.
Ironically, Kennedy’s supporters include victim’s rights groups.
It's a compelling case.
Is the death penalty appropriate when the victim isn't dead?
Here’s more from CNN.
UPDATE, 6//20/08: No ruling yet, but one is expected by the end of June.
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