The House has voted to permit death sentences for those convicted of rape if the victim is less than 12 years old

In Jefferson City, the House has voted to permit death sentences for those convicted of rape or forcible sodomy if the victim is less than 12 years old. Before the legislative session started, Gov. Matt Blunt called for a law allowing executions in those cases. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in April on a Louisiana law allowing the death penalty for child rapists. But the court has not yet ruled.