Lawyers have an awesome responsibility to defend and preserve justice. In this case, they are beside the point. I'm just saying anyone who rapes a 12 year old (anyone for that matter, but especially a child) should never be released from prison. I'm torn on the death penalty...I support it wholeheartedly, but I know mistakes have, and most likely will continue to, happen. I do believe it's very rare, however. Molesters are a special case. They can't be rehabilitated, and should die, if sufficient proof exists of their guilt. In Louisiana, there are only 2 crimes for which you can be sentenced to death: First degree murder, and aggravated rape (raping someone under 12 or over 65). I've never heard of someone receiving the death penalty (in moder times, at least) for rape.