(Columbia) March 23, 2006 -Kenneth Hinson faces harsh penalties if found guilty of kidnapping and raping two Darlington teenagers. He's already served time for the sexual assault of an 11-year old girl.

But the state might be about to crack down even more on other molesters - especially those who repeat their crimes.

At the State House Thursday, there was closely-watched debate over the possibility of death for some sex offenders. The bill is specifically about those convicted a second time of first-degree sexual assault when the victim is under age 12.

Anderson Senator Kevin Bryant says, "Many will say we don't need the death penalty unless a life has been taken. And my personal feeling is if someone violates a child in this way, they've taken something from their soul they may never recover."

Some lawmakers find themselves in a tough position on this death penalty proposal. They support capital punishment for repeat offenders. But they also worry that changing the law will lead to a Constitutional challenge that could overturn death sentences for other violent criminals.

"I mean, they need to be wiped off the face of the earth," says Lexington Senator Jake Knotts.

Knotts backs death for predators who target kids. He also knows courts have often ruled out capital punishment in crimes that do not result in loss of life, "We can pass laws, but if we know that the law we're passing is not going to pass Constitutional muster, we're doing an injustice to our victims."

Other senators agree.

"I want to make sure we do it correctly and I want to make sure it doesn't draw the court's attention to our existing death penalty statute in a way that could possibly jeopardize it if it were deemed unconstitutional."

The Senate named a small committee to meet Tuesday morning with the attorney general, a state prosecutor and a law professor to discuss the idea. The Senate could vote Tuesday afternoon, after getting a report on that discussion.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie with AP

Posted 7:11pm by Chantelle Janelle