Brochin: Life instead of death
Sen. Jim Brochin says Maryland should now consider a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole for anyone convicted of raping a child.
Brochin, a Democrat who represents the 42nd District, made his comments after learning of the June 24 Supreme Court decision striking down a Louisiana law that applies the death penalty to anyone convicted of raping a child. (You can read the text of that decision here.)
The 42nd District includes Towson, Timonium and part of Pikesville.
In an interview three years ago, Brochin called for a minimum sentence of life in prison for such cases, adding “I wouldn’t rule out the death penalty either.”
In Maryland, the death penalty is available only in murder cases.
He said back then he didn’t believe the death penalty in such cases is “too strict.”
In an interview hours after the nation’s top court handed down its decision, Brochin said he “respected the court’s decision” even though he doesn’t always agree with the justices on every issue.
The senator, who since taking office in 2003 has been a strong advocate for tougher sentences for anyone who abuses a child physically or sexually, said he would be satisfied with half of what he wanted in 2005.
“I think life without parole seems pretty reasonable based on the court’s ruling,” he said.