Sounding Off: Death penalty for pedophiles

I absolutely believe that sexual predators whose victims are children should be given the death penalty. A sexual predator robs children of their childhoods; there is no greater offense.
Stephanie Rodriguez, McKinney
These are incredibly serious crimes, and they deserve severe punishment.

However, such a law could impede prosecution and subject these cases to ongoing constitutional challenges.
Robert J. Witte, Plano
I feel that anyone who doesn't say he or she would personally execute child molesters if given half a chance is likely lying or has never been a parent.

However, that emotion doesn't make execution right. The death penalty is the ultimate punishment and one that should never be considered without due care.
Jeff Fortney Sr.

, Plano
The death penalty? No. Long-term imprisonment?

Yes. Castration? Yes .

If ever freed, sexual offenders should face confinement in a way that prevents residence anywhere near a school or children, including lifetime ankle bracelet identification.
Chuck Altman, Frisco
Yes, I do!
Leeanne Hay, Plano
Without any doubt, if they are convicted they should be put to death .

Castration is not enough, and rehabilitation is a flimsy copout.
Stefani Griffin, McKinney
As emotionally appealing as this sounds, I can't agree that one size fits all. The 25-year-old teacher who has an affair with a 16-year-old student is simply a different situation than a 46-year-old man raping a 5-year-old girl.

But I think we should have the option.
Chuck Bell, Plano
I think sexual predators on children should be locked up for life without parole after the first offense. I learned in college that there has never been any history that treating child molesters works; they need to be locked up from society, not to be let loose to be a huge menace to others.

Catherine Casterline, Anna
It is already well established that the death penalty does not deter would-be murderers. Neither would it deter would-be rapists. As long as it is possible that the convicted could be innocent, a death penalty is inappropriate and needlessly vengeful.

Keith J. Midgen, Plano
No, I do not think that the death penalty is the best solution for sexual predators. However, spending the rest of their life in prison would certainly be as close as one could get to the fear, pain, degradation, embarrassment, sadness and hopelessness that victims incur for the rest of their lives.

I think that the proposed 25-year penalty for first offenders would be appropriate. I would also write in the legislation that plea bargains and probation would not be allowed. I would recommend the death penalty on the third conviction.

Warner Richeson, Plano
I would be in favor of life without parole. As much as I find predators very sick, we have to be very careful. If there is an automatic death penalty, some of these perverts might think they have nothing to lose and murder our children.

Ronald Paris, McKinney
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Voices: The following residents are regular contributors to this forum.
As horrific as the sexual abuse of children is, I just can't bring myself to support the death penalty for a crime in which someone has not killed another human.

Life in prison without parole is less extreme, but a more rational alternative.
I believe it should be an option for sexual predators of children to receive the death penalty. I do not think it should be automatic.

Every case should be considered independently.
Imposing the death penalty for sex crimes means fewer children will report sex offenses, as family members and friends commit the most. It also means that they will be more likely to kill their victims rather than be identified.

Texas already kills more criminals than the rest of the country combined, but enjoys no significantly lower crime rate. It makes for a good sound bite, but solves nothing.
Making this a death-penalty crime would actually make it even harder to convict, punish and deter such behavior.

Even with the very real threat of getting caught in a sting, child predators are still unable to stop themselves. Death is less a deterrent to them than it is to prosecutors, while victims suffer as the legal hoops they must jump through multiply.
Lisa M.

Virgoe
This is a get-tough, feel-good measure by well-meaning, but deluded, lawmakers. The death penalty is not a deterrent to murder, and it won't be against child molestation. There is ample evidence that molesters, devious and evil by nature, will do anything to cover up their crimes, and we're giving them a reason to silence their victims.