NCJ Number
123707
Date Published
1990
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This report provides a review and critique of existing research on the likelihood that the race of either the victim or defendant influences whether the defendant is sentenced to death.
Abstract
Fifty-three studies were collected and reviewed that were deemed relevant to the particular issue. The types of references used are provided as well as an examination of the different methodologies used. Limitations of the studies include sample selection bias, omitted variable, and small sample sizes. The findings support the assertion that there are racial disparities in the charging, sentencing, and imposition of the death penalty after the Furman decision. Those who murdered blacks were found to be less likely to be sentenced to death than those who murdered whites. The influence of the race of the defendant was found to be equivocal across the studies examined and was attributed to several factors including poor data. Conclusions focus on the influence of the race of the victim on death sentencing. 28 references.