Tennessee bill would make child rape eligible for death penalty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Tennessee legislator introduced a bill on Tuesday that would make rape of a child eligible for the death penalty.

House Bill 1663 authorizes using the death penalty as punishment for crimes including rape of a child, aggravated child rape or especially aggravated rape of a child.

This would bring a drastic change from the current punishment which is 25 or more years in prison.

Rep. William Lamberth introduced the bill as the Tennessee legislature started their new session on January 9.

Rep. William Lamberth / Tennessee General Assembly