No death for child rapists

The Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to sentence a child rapist to death. Patrick O. Kennedy raped his 8 year old stepdaughter and blamed it on two neighborhood boys. When questioned by the authorities, the girl lied, just as she was coached to do. I heartedly disagree with the Editorial Board, Daily Illini’s opinion that the Supreme Court was being responsible.

The Supreme Court is supposed to be the ultimate upholder of rights and liberties; and, in this case, they have failed. By deciding that Patrick O. Kennedy would not get the death penalty because it was “cruel and unusual punishment,” the Justices have set a precedent that rapists, who don’t murder their victims, will receive something less than the death penalty. Even Barack Obama and John McCain came together in disagreeing with the rulings; this could be considered political posturing due to the proximity of the election, however. By coming out against the likes of Patrick O. Kennedy, they cover themselves politically against charges of being weak on crime and punishment.

Personally, I believe that murder can be in self defense, rape cannot. You can’t just decide “Oh, that child was trying to hurt me, so I raped him/her.” Child rapists are a waste of life, and keeping them alive is a waste of tax dollars, as well as a risk to society given the possibility of their release on “good behavior.” It takes a truly sick and twisted person to murder someone in cold blood. Rape, however, though it might not lead to murder, isn’t any less sick or twisted; it’s simply disturbing in a different manner.

As such, the fact that the Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy’s favor, is basically a slap in the face of Justice. This man raped a child, his own stepdaughter no less, and is getting away with his life, if not his freedom. Now, other rapists can and will use this case as precedent to get away with at least their own worthless life, while they leave their victims often times as mere shadows of their previous selves. So, while rapists are getting easier sentences, their victims spend years recuperating and rebuilding their lives. I see no “cruel and unusual punishment” in death.

The Editorial Board states that the death penalty is too “civilized” a punishment. And perhaps they are right. But at the moment, the only thing that many people see is that a child rapist is getting away with a lesser sentence.