[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----INDIANA

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 16


INDIANA:

Mandatory Death Penalty Proposed For Some Child-Killers


A state legislator from the southern Indiana town where a 10-year-old girl
was abducted and killed last month has proposed making the death sentence
mandatory in some cases of those convicted of murdering a child.

Rep. Terry Goodin, D-Crothersville, authored the amendment to a bill that
is eligible for a vote on the House floor this week.

The measure would require death sentences for those convicted of murdering
someone younger than 18 while also committing crimes such as child
molestation, rape, kidnapping or criminal confinement.

Authorities have said they believed Katlyn Collman was abducted and slain
last month so she would not tell others about methamphetamine activity she
had seen in her neighborhood.

Goodin said he considered the bill before Collman's death, but the highly
publicized crime brought it to the forefront.

"It brought the awareness that this wasn't in the statutes," Goodin said.
"I've had people back in the district say enough is enough."

Goodin's twin brother, Jerry, is an Indiana State Police sergeant and is
among those investigating Collman's death. Terry Goodin is also
superintendent of the Crothersville Community Schools, of which the girl
was a student.

Charles James Hickman, 20, is facing murder charges for Collman's death,
which was the 1st homicide in 25 years in the town of about 1,600 people
some 40 miles north of Louisville.

The Jackson County prosecutor has not yet decided whether to seek the
death penalty against Hickman.

(source: Associated Press)