Discussion on Proposed Death Penalty Bill for Child Rape Cases

During a radio appearance on Wednesday, state Senator Sam Givhan from R-Huntsville shared insights about a proposed bill that aims to permit the death penalty for cases involving child rape.

On the conservative talk show “Rightside Radio,” Givhan elaborated on the legislation, which would enable prosecutors to seek the death penalty for sexual crimes against victims below the age of 12. This proposal was motivated by troubling discoveries regarding child sex trafficking and abuse, involving state Senator April Weaver, R-Alabaster, and state legislator Matt Simpson, R-Fairhope, specifically in Bibb County.

Simpson previously championed similar legislation in the 2025 session, which would have allowed for the death penalty in cases of first-degree rape or sodomy if the victim was under six years old. Although the House of Representatives passed the bill, it ultimately did not make it to the Senate for a vote.

“It raises questions, doesn’t it? How can people just sit back and let this happen?” Givhan remarked regarding the Bibb County case. “It’s hard to understand why these individuals should remain in our communities.”

He pointed out that the proposed bill could go through either the Senate Veterans, Military and Public Safety Commission or the Senate Judiciary Committee. When questioned about which committee might facilitate its progress more quickly, Givhan expressed a preference for the Senate Veterans and Military Committee, noting that it has a higher representation of Republicans than the Judiciary Committee.

In the 2025 legislative session, the Senate Veterans and Military Public Safety Commission included two Democrats out of ten members, while the Senate Judiciary Committee had three out of fourteen. Givhan is optimistic about the chances of passing the bill next year, stating, “It seems Senator Weaver is keen to push this forward, especially considering it’s linked to her home area in Bibb County.”

Williams then referenced the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which found that the death penalty for crimes not resulting in death breaches the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. He asked Givhan if he thought this precedent could hinder the proposed legislation.

In response, Givhan criticized those who oppose the death penalty, particularly citing Alabama’s methods of execution, including the controversial option of nitrogen hypoxia. He mentioned even considering firing squad executions as a solution to the challenges around obtaining lethal injection drugs.

“There’s so much debate over execution methods, so I thought about introducing a firing squad bill,” Givhan stated. “It’s a traditional approach, and, well, it’s something we’d have to consider.”

He went on to express his belief that lethal injections would ideally be the method used, though he acknowledged the difficulty in acquiring the necessary drugs. “After all, there are plenty of bullets around,” he added lightly.

Williams voiced his support, saying, “After what’s come to light from Bibb County, it’s hard not to feel strongly about this.”

While specific legislative proposals for the 2026 session are still unclear, a press conference has been scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m., where Simpson and Weaver will officially announce the bill. The event will include Bibb County Sheriff Jodie Wade, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Huey “Hoss” Mack, executive director of the Alabama Security Association, all of whom are involved in the current investigation into sex trafficking in the region.