An accused pedophile could become the first person in Florida executed for sexually abusing a child.
Prosecutors announced Thursday their intention to seek the death penalty under a new law for Joseph Andrew Giampa, who was allegedly filmed sexually abusing a child.
In a statement announcing Giampa’s grand jury indictment, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit highlighted the “severity of the crime and the impact on the community.”
Giampa, 36, was charged with six counts of sexual assault on a person under 12 and three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child.
“The decision to impose the highest penalty reflects the seriousness of the charges and the dedication of the State Attorney’s Office to holding criminals accountable for their actions,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson.
Joseph Andrew Giampa could be the first person sentenced to death for sexually abusing a child. Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Giampa was arrested in November after Lake County deputies identified him as the adult who roughly raped a child in a homemade video that was allegedly found on Giampa’s laptop, according to court records.
In the video, the man admitted that he knows the boy did not enjoy the abuse, but that “he likes it better when [the victim] does not like”.
Giampa, who was also arrested for assault and battery in 2021, has pleaded not guilty.
The tough punishment for sex crimes would be the first of its kind in the state under new legislation signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May.
Under the new bill, a jury can recommend the death penalty for sexual assault of a child under 12 in a vote of at least 8 to 4.
It clashed with Supreme Court precedent set in 2008, when the high court ruled 5-4 in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty could not be imposed on child rapists or anyone who committed a crime in which the victim did not die. .
State Attorney Bill Gladson announced his intention to pursue the death penalty based on the “seriousness of the crime and the impact on the community.” Facebook/State Attorney’s Office of the Fifth Judicial Circuit
Florida and Alabama are the only two states that allow the imposition of death sentences following a non-unanimous jury recommendation.
DeSantis, who helped push the legislation, applauded the Fifth Judicial Circuit for taking advantage of the new law.
“The State Attorney has my full support,” the presidential hopeful said in a statement.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, please call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn