Bill sponsor says human trafficking is a big problem in Utah
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Members of Utah’s House law enforcement and criminal justice committee voted to pass a bill that would expand capital punishment in the state in cases of aggravated human trafficking or child exploitation.
The members voted 6 – 5 to approve the proposal which just passed its first hurdle despite concerns from critics that the plan would be expensive and unnecessary.
The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Paul Ray who, according to Washington Times, said human trafficking is a major problem in Utah.
Ray said to The Associated Press. “I want to be able to pull down a cartel kingpin or somebody and put them on death row if women or girls are dying in their trafficking rings.”
Currently, the only crime subject to the death penalty in Utah is aggravated murder.
Globally, 58 countries still permit capital punishment for various crimes. Thailand’s leading criminal defense attorney says that the death penalty can be imposed as punishment in a staggering 35 different crimes in Thailand, most recent of which was drug trafficking.
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