A bid to allow executions for convicted cop killers and those who kidnap, rape and murder children in Iowa has essentially been tabled for the year. Republican Brad Zaun of Urbandale is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Zaun says he has just two days left to take action on policy bills in his committee — and death penalty legislation will NOT be on the agenda.
Zaun supports giving Iowa courts the option of a death sentence for those convicted of murdering a peace officer or a child who’d been kidnapped and raped.
Earlier this month, a bill that would have allowed a death sentence for first degree murder convictions stalled in the Iowa House. A death penalty supporter in the House or Senate could try to tack the issue onto another bill, but the rules for legislative debate make that a difficult, if not impossible task.
