Florida State Attorney, William “Bill” Gladson announced on Thursday that the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (FLSAO5) will seek the death penalty for a man indicted “for six counts of Sexual Battery Upon a Person Under Twelve Years of Age and three counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child.”
Citing the “severity of the crime and its impact on the community,” Gladson noted that the “decision to pursue the highest penalty” in the case against Joseph Andrew Giampa “reflects the gravity of the charges and the State Attorney’s Office’s dedication to holding criminals accountable for their actions.”
NBC News reports: “Giampa, 36, of Leesburg, was arrested in November. A police officer said he viewed a video of a man identified as Giampa sexually abusing a young boy, according to an arrest affidavit.”
The accused pedophile is the first to face execution under Florida’s new law that expanded capital punishment.
As BizPac Review reported, the legislation, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, intentionally challenges “the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 Kennedy v. Louisiana decision in 2008 that prohibited the death penalty in such cases when the victim survived.”
DeSantis argued that the court’s ruling was wrong.
“We think that in the worst of the worst cases, the only appropriate punishment is the ultimate punishment,” he said at the time.
“Court documents list four reasons prosecutors believe the death penalty is warranted, including Giampa’s past capital felony conviction, and that the alleged current crime was ‘especially heinous, atrocious and cruel’ and was committed ‘for pecuniary gain,'” NBC News reports.
“The State Attorney’s Office acknowledges the sensitivity of this matter and the impact it has on the community,” Gladson said in Thursday’s news release. “Our commitment to ensuring justice and protecting the vulnerable remains unwavering.”
On X, DeSantis backed the FLSAO5’s decision.
“Today, [FLSAO5] announced that they will seek the death penalty in a case of sexual battery against a child under age 12,” he wrote. “It will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty.”
“[FLSAO5] has my full support,” he stated.
Today, @flsao5 announced that they will seek the death penalty in a case of sexual battery against a child under age 12.
It will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty.
@flsao5 has my full support.— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 14, 2023
The action has DeSantis supporters cheering.
“Thank you, Governor DeSantis!” replied one user on X. “Pedophiles are worse than murderers, because the trauma they inflict on children is worse than the pain of death.”
“We are so grateful for your leadership and your dedication to protecting children,” stated another.
“Finally!” exclaimed a third. “This should be done in all states.”
Thank you, Governor DeSantis!
Pedophiles are worse than murderers, because the trauma they inflict on children is worse than the pain of death.
— Laurie (@laurieinri) December 14, 2023
We are so grateful for your leadership and your dedication to protecting children.
— Debbie Mathews (@Hawksgirl80) December 14, 2023
Finally! This should be done in all states
— Patty (@PattyWitrado) December 15, 2023
“In many states, Joseph Giampa would get off with a slap on the wrist for filming and molesting an underage boy,” the popular End Wokeness account wrote. “But since he did it in Florida, he will likely be executed thanks to a new death penalty expansion for pedos. This should be federal law everywhere.”
In many states, Joseph Giampa would get off with a slap on the wrist for filming and molesting an underage boy.
But since he did it in Florida, he will likely be executed thanks to a new death penalty expansion for pedos.
This should be federal law everywhere. pic.twitter.com/MAVXkDk6hj
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 17, 2023
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Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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