Pandering

Representative Duncan says Oklahoma courts should show repeat sex offenders no mercy.

"I want the local prosecutors and local jurors and judges to have the option available if the facts meet a death sentence for them to consider it," said Duncan.

Read more...

While I understand the outrage over the assault of a child, I also recognize grandstanding and pandering when I see it. The U.S. Supreme Court has held in Coker v. Georgia (1977) that a sentence of death was excessive for the crime of rape. In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the Coker decision when it invalidated Louisiana's death penalty for child rapists (Kennedy v. Louisiana). Mr Duncan must be aware of these decisions as he is intent on finagling the wording in his bill.

This bill represents bad policy making. Mr. Duncan and others like you: stop this insanity and start working to help the victims.