By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House has passed legislation that would allow the death penalty for those convicted of rape or forcible sodomy of a child under the age of 12.
House Speaker Pro-Tem Bryan Pratt (R, Blue Springs) says judges should have the option of sentencing a child rapist to death, and he hopes House and Senate negotiators will leave the language in.
"They're going to go to conference to determine what they're (going to) put in and what they're (going to) keep out, and I'm certainly (going to) fight to try to keep this provision in, because I think it's important to arm law enforcement with these tools," Pratt said.
State Representative John Burnett (D, Kansas City) cast one the few "no" votes.
"It encourages offenders to commit murder, rather than leave their victims behind, if they know that they've committed a serious crime...and (it is) not just me that thinks that, a good part of the research in the criminal justice system points to that," Burnett said.
Each chamber has until 6:PM today to pass a final version of the bill.