Jindal To Mayors: Some Rape Convictions Merit Death
by Ed Anderson - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

LAFAYETTE -- Gov. Bobby Jindal said Saturday his administration is working with prosecutors to craft a bill that would reinstate the death penalty for rape in limited cases, especially for "monsters" who prey on young children.

"If there is any crime that merits the death penalty, it is rape," Jindal said to applause at the 71st annual meeting of the Louisiana Municipal Association, a coalition of mayors from around the state.

After his speech, Jindal told reporters that besides asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its 5-4 ruling throwing out the death penalty law in a Jefferson Parish child rape case, his staff is working to write one that will meet constitutional muster.

The next time the Legislature likely will be able to take up such a bill is in the April session. Though that session will focus on tax and fiscal matters, each lawmaker will be allowed to file five non-fiscal bills.