Death penalty for child rape bill advances

Tennessee’s Senate advanced legislation on Tuesday allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions that has raised concerns from critics that the U.S. Supreme Court has banned capital punishment in such cases. Republicans approved the bill on a 24-5 vote. It must still be voted through the House chamber before it can head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his approval. If it becomes law, the bill would authorize the state to pursue capital punishment when an adult is convicted of aggravated rape of a child. Those convicted could be sentenced to death, imprisonment for life without possibility of parole, or imprisonment for life.