Final answer:
A capital crime is one that can result in the death penalty. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed its application, disallowing it for non-homicidal offenses, individuals under 18 at the time of the crime, and other specific categories.
Step-by-step explanation:
A capital crime is one for which an offender can receive the death penalty. The historical context of capital punishment shows that it has been reserved for the most severe offenses, such as murder, treason, piracy, and arson. However, the application of the death penalty has been substantially narrowed by the Supreme Court over the years. For instance, the Court ruled in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty is unconstitutional in cases that do not involve murder or crimes against the state. Additionally, in Roper v. Simmons, the Court decided that the death penalty may not be applied to those who were under 18 when they committed the crime. As a result, the statement in the student's question is incorrect; if a woman committed a capital crime, she could potentially face execution if convicted, barring any specific exclusions by law or Supreme Court rulings.