In light of the horrific child sex abuse case uncovered recently in Bibb County, two state lawmakers are renewing an effort to make Alabama among the first in the nation to allow the death penalty for child rapists.
State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) are expected to reintroduce legislation that would permit prosecutors to seek capital punishment in cases of first-degree rape or sodomy involving victims under the age of 12.
The bill, originally introduced during the 2025 regular legislative session as HB49 by Simpson, cleared the Alabama House in February with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, but awaited final passage in the Senate.
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The legislation directly challenges the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which held that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment for crimes where the victim does not die, including child rape.
Simpson and Weaver, along with Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade — who is currently investigating the heinous discovery that involved children as young as three — and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, will hold a press conference on Thursday to argue a reconsideration of that precedent through reform.
RELATED: Horrific crimes revealed in Bibb County: Sheriff Wade details child sexual abuse bunker
Simpson, a member of the Alabama House Judiciary Committee, adamantly argued nearly one year ago that Alabama, alongside Florida and Tennessee, which have recently passed similar laws, can lead the way in pushing the court to re-examine the limits of capital punishment in the context of child sexual abuse.
Particularly in the wake of the Bibb County case that continues to produce gut-wrenching details.
“I don’t think anyone who commits offenses on a child this young can be rehabilitated,” Simpson said last year.
Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
