In a statement just issued, Gov. Matt Blunt ”commended the House for adding the death penalty as an appropriate form of punishment for a criminal convicted of child rape to Senate Bill 976.”

            “ ‘Child predators attack the innocent and defenseless, and the pain they inflict is permanent, in many cases physically and in all cases emotionally,” Blunt said in a statement. “We have a responsibility to do everything within our power to protect our children from violent sexual predators. The worst crimes deserve the most serious punishments. Those who commit violent sex crimes against children are the worst criminals. They victimize the innocent and defenseless, and they deserve the death penalty.”