Republican lawmakers want death penalty for child sex crimes in Wisconsin

[Jim Burton]

https://www.wpr.org/news/republican-law ... -wisconsin

A pair of Republican state lawmakers wants to bring the death penalty back to Wisconsin for the first time in more than 170 years. It would be reserved for those convicted of certain sexual assaults against children under 13 years old.

The bill being introduced by state Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, and state Rep. Elija Behnke, R-Town of Chase, would give prosecutors and judges the option of seeking the death penalty for people convicted of having sexual contact or intercourse with a person under 13 years old and causing great bodily harm. It would also be an option for all people convicted of having sex with a child under the age of 12.

The legislation would also create a process for a jury to determine whether the person convicted of the crimes should be put to death. Any appeals would go directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The state Department of Corrections would be required to select an executioner, 12 witnesses and the method the state would use to kill those on death row.