Statement by Gov. Rick Perry regarding the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

AUSTIN, June 28, 2008 - Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Jessica's Law:

"I believe the vast majority of Texans agree that the death sentence is the appropriate punishment for someone convicted of raping a child. While today's opinion does not directly address Texas law, we recognize that our state is guided by the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. That said, Texas will continue to seek the toughest punishment allowable for the predators who commit crimes of this nature, including the sentence of life without parole that is also permitted under our state’s version of Jessica’s Law.

"In my opinion, laws should be strong enough to deter these unspeakable offenses or, in the least, prevent these lowest of criminals from harming any child again.

"As Justice Alito’s dissenting opinion says: ‘no matter how young the child, no matter how many times the child is raped, no matter how many children the perpetrator rapes, no matter how sadistic the crime, no matter how much physical or psychological trauma is inflicted, and no matter how heinous the perpetrator's prior criminal record may be,’ justice should be served."

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