No Death Penalty For Child Rapist

How cruel to execute a child rapist who has caused permanent damage to his victims:


Executing child rapists is cruel and unusual punishment, a divided U.S. Supreme Court decided Wednesday in overturning a Jefferson Parish death sentence and declaring as unconstitutional Louisiana's 1995 aggravated rape statute that allows the death penalty when victims are under age 13.

The 5-4 decision also invalidates similar laws in five other states and prohibits the death penalty in crimes in which the victim does not die. The court left intact the death penalty for crimes against the state, such as espionage and terrorism.

When Will It End?

The families of the victims need closure:

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Frank Marullo has granted more time for Rogers LaCaze and Juan Smith,two convicted killers awaiting death by lethal injection for separate triple murders that both occurred in eastern New Orleans 13 years ago.

LaCaze was convicted in the shooting deaths of police officer Ronald Williams and restaurant workers Cuong Vu and Ha Vu at the Kim Anh restaurant. Within a matter of months in 1995, LaCaze and Frank went from prime suspects to convicted death row inmates.

Smith was convicted in the shooting deaths of Andre White and Tangie Thompson at their home on Morrison Avenue. Thompson's 3 -- year-old son was also found shot to death, face down beneath his mother's body.