[Save Us Sutter]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I don't know.... I'm not that familiar with the legal aspects here, but it seems to me that the court is basically saying raping a child is "not as bad" as "killing an adult." I disagree. To me, raping a child is one of the worst things a person can do.

So--in principle I oppose the death penalty--but if you have the death penalty anyway, I'm not sure I understand why it's cruel and unusual for a child rapist but not for a murderer.

I think, when it comes down to it, the age of a victim is irrelevant. They are weighing "rape" vs "death" are they not? That is what Gozer's link seemed to say.

Originally Posted by Gozer

Precedent cited:
"Rape is without doubt deserving of serious punishment; but in terms of moral depravity and of the injury to the person and to the public, it does not compare with murder, which does involve the unjustified taking of human life.

I've gotta say I agree with evman. It is never right to kill another person.

There's also something about a legal precedent that "rates" moral depravity that makes me uncomfortable. I can't quite word it right though so I think I better wait on that one.