Story perspectives

Mississippi Adds Child Sexual Battery to Death Penalty List

8/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mississippi enacted Bill 2821 on July 1 2026, adding sexual battery of a child under 12 to the death-penalty list.
A jury must unanimously find aggravating factors before a death sentence can be imposed.
At least eight of twelve jurors must recommend death, otherwise the defendant receives life without parole.
Abraham Bonowitz, director of Death Penalty Action, opposes executions, saying a life sentence “throws away the key” and may deter victims from reporting.

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Story summary

Mississippi enacted Bill 2821 on July 1 2026, adding sexual battery of a child under 12 to the death-penalty list.
A jury must unanimously find aggravating factors before a death sentence can be imposed.
At least eight of twelve jurors must recommend death, otherwise the defendant receives life without parole.
Abraham Bonowitz, director of Death Penalty Action, opposes executions, saying a life sentence “throws away the key” and may deter victims from reporting.