Popular Republican governor of Florida, on Monday, signed new legislation into law which will allow the execution of child rapists in the sunshine state. “We think that in the worst of the worst cases, the only appropriate punishment is the ultimate punishment,” DeSantis said in remarks during a bill-signing ceremony.
Under the new law, those who commit sexual battery against children under 12 years old, will face capital punishment.
In a 5-4 ruling in 2008 in Kennedy v. Louisiana case, United States Supreme Court(SCOTUS) had prohibited the imposition of death penalty in such cases when the victim survived. ".... We think that that decision was wrong," DeSantis said in his remarks. He says the new law "will set up a procedure to be able to challenge" the SCOTUS ruling.
The governor also signed bills Monday, that imposes life in prison on those who sell fentanyl resembling candy to children; and ban suspects arrested for dangerous crimes from being granted pretrial release without monetary bail at their first court hearings.
“If you’re messing with children, you’re going to have the book thrown at you 100%,” DeSantis said. “We’re excited to be able to deliver these victories. We’re gonna have a lot more that we’re gonna be announcing over the next few weeks.”
The governor had signed a law on April 20 allowing juries to levy a death sentence with a two-thirds majority vote in his state, which has historically required a unanimous decision for capital punishment.
Child protection and pro-life activists online praised the new laws, hailing Florida as one of the best states to raise children.
WATCH Ron DeSantis' remarks during a bill-signing ceremony in Florida on Monday