Lawmakers in West Virginia are considering legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in certain cases involving child victims, potentially reversing the state’s decades-old ban on capital punishment.
Senate Bill 1068 would amend and reenact sections 61-2-2 and 61-8B-3 of state code related to murder and sexual assault. It also proposes adding three new sections outlining how capital punishment would apply in specific cases involving child victims. If approved, the bill would repeal the 1959 law that abolished the death penalty in West Virginia.
Supporters say the measure is aimed at addressing the most severe crimes against children.
“I think that there is a need to protect our children. They’re one of our most vulnerable populations in West Virginia. So, I’m happy to see there is a push to take these crimes very seriously,” said Laura Wakim-Chapman.
Backers of the proposal argue the legislation would reserve capital punishment for aggravated circumstances involving what they describe as the “worst of the worst” offenses.
Under current law in West Virginia, the maximum penalty for first-degree murder is life imprisonment. First-degree sexual assault of a child under 12 carries a sentence of 25 to 100 years in prison.