That's the title of an article by Adam Holland in the Longview News-Journal on Jessica's Law. LINK
"When and whether to seek the death penalty is a complex issue," he said [Gregg County District Attorney Bill Jennings]. "Such a decision involves input from a number of sources, including the victim, the victim's family and the investigating agency to name a few."
Jennings said his office recently prosecuted a sex offender who would have been eligible for the death penalty under the new law.
"That person received an automatic life sentence (30 years before parole eligible) which was the harshest sentence the Legislature allowed at that time," he said.
The new law also extends the statute of limitations for sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a young child and indecency with a child to 20 years beyond the victim's 18th birthday. Previously, there was a 10-year window during which accused offenders could be indicted.
Along with most other laws passed during the 80th Legislature, Jessica's Law goes into effect Sept. 1.
More on Jessica's Law is here.
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