"In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled the death penalty a disproportionate punishment for raping children under the age of 12, despite the horrendous nature of such acts."

Five states have laws in place that allow the death penalty to be sought in child rape cases, if the defendent is convicted. Given this recent ruling, those laws will now be deemed unconstitutional. But, many supporters aren't willing to give up, and will be continueing the fight to allow the execution of convicted child rapists.