Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) weighs in on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling
striking down the Louisiana law allowing the death penalty to be
imposed on child rapists. In a statement, Blunt says he is, "Extremely
disappointed in the Courts decision."

Blunt was a strong supporter of an effort during the recently-concluded
legislative session to allow any Missouri prosecutor to seek the death
penalty in any case of forcible rape and forcible sodomy in which the
victim is under the age of 12.

The Governor and 28 members of the General Assembly had filed an amicus
brief, in March, asking the High Court to clarify previous rulings that
the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit the death penalty for child
rapists.

In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court ruled the Louisiana law violates the
U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
[Missourinet.com]