Crime and Punishment

Yesterday in the news, a decision recently rendered by the United States Supreme Court was issued to the public. Our nation's highest court ruled Louisiana Law regarding the death penalty for capital rape is unconstitutional. In Louisiana, rape of a child age 12 and under was an offense punishable by death until yesterday. The court's reasoning was that the death penalty for such an offense is not only too harsh, but was rarely ever administered in various states. All five of the liberal justices voted against the death penalty being administered for such offense. All of the conservative justices disagreed. They were of the opinion that such an offense is the ultimate act of violence that could ever be committed upon a child--I agree.

As an adult who was subjected to sexual assault, it has been difficult for me. I can only imagine that experience for a child. All of that child's innocence is lost and can never be restored. That child has been robbed of so much. The ruling just didn't seem fair to me. The legal side of my mind believes that a life sentence is better for the offender because that person will be raped in prison. Its a fact that prisoners have no mercy for convicted rapists of children. That is the hell on earth they should be subjected to. But there is a part of me that is attached emotionally; which clouds my legal opinion. I am of the theory that the crime of rape is worst than committing a murder. Having to live with the nightmare of being subdued against your will, being treated as if you have no say in what is taking place, and having to bare the physical pain during the incident is not a good feeling. Then comes the mental pain that lingers on in your mind dictating how you live and interact with people. The nights are long when you're in bed tossing and turning because every time your eyes close, all you can see is yourself being raped; literally feeling the physical pain you felt at that moment in time. Its been hard as hell.

I accept the ruling. I don't have a choice but to. However, it is a difficult pill to swallow.