Summary
Mississippi has enacted a new law, Senate Bill 2821, expanding the death penalty to include cases of child sexual battery involving victims under 12, effective July 1. The legislation, authored by State Sen. Jeremy England, allows prosecutors to seek capital punishment for defendants 18 or older if a jury unanimously finds at least two aggravating factors and at least 8 of 12 jurors recommend death. Critics, including Abraham Bonowitz of Death Penalty Action, question the deterrent effect and express concerns that it could discourage child victims from coming forward.
