Oklahoma made child rape eligible for the death penalty, shirking a Supreme Court ruling

Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional.

Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November.

Current state law allows the death penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that crime. The bill approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor allows district attorneys to request the convicted be executed after one offense.

"Does there have to be a second child? Or is one enough?" asked state Rep. and former prosecutor Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, during debate on the House floor this year.

Death penalty for child rape: Oklahoma law challenges SCOTUS ruling