TN Gov. Lee signs bill to allow death penalty for child rape

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has approved legislation will allow the death penalty in child rape convictions. The Republican led Statehouse got behind the legislation amid concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court has banned capital punishment in such cases. Governor Lee signed the legislation last week and did not issue a statement. The new law goes into effect July 1 and authorizes the state to pursue capital punishment when an adult is convicted of aggravated rape of a child. Those convicted could face the death penalty, imprisonment for life without possibility of parole, or imprisonment for life.