This could possibly be the worst story I have ever read...

[alicia-w]

This bill is on the Tennessee Senate floor now: (article courtesy of the Maryville Daily Times)

A person convicted of raping a child before murdering him or her could face the death penalty under legislation that unanimously passed the Senate on Thursday.

Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, is sponsoring the bill she said is part of a package of legislation aimed at sexual predators.

The bill would add rape of a child under 13 to the list of offenses that constitute first-degree murder, which could result in a penalty of life imprisonment, life without parole or the death penalty.

``We wanted the stiffest penalties for anyone who killed a child where there was rape of that child at the same time,'' Black said.

The legislation is a response to the Jessica Lunsford Act passed in Florida last year, she said.

Nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford was kidnapped by a sex offender who admitted raping the child before killing her, according to court documents.

Following her death, Florida passed a law that established a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life behind bars for people convicted of certain sex crimes against children 11 and younger, with lifetime tracking by global positioning satellite after they are freed.

[Janice]

I think it is a great bill. These people need to be put away for life and off the street.

IT IS ABOUT TIME................. Anyone who rapes a 9 year old child, forfeits his right to live.

[alicia-w]

just want to make sure you understand that the bill includes rape before murder has an offense that constitutes first degree murder. so you dont get the death penalty for rape alone....