Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim–Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gillespie, Lane Kirkland; Loughran, Thomas A.; Smith, M. Dwayne; Fogel, Sondra J.; Bjerregaard, Beth
• Is Part Of: Homicide studies. Volume 18:Number 2(2014:May)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 195
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: death penalty -- gender -- sentencing -- victim/offender relationship -- victim conduct; Homicide -- Periodicals; 364.152
• DOI: 10.1177/1088767913485747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1088-7679

Abstract

Disparities in the administration of capital punishment are a prominent social and political issue. Recent studies indicate that victim characteristics of sex and race produce interactive effects on capital-sentencing outcomes. Extending this line of research, the current analysis explores the intersection of victim sex with victim conduct and victim–defendant relationship, utilizing a population of North Carolina capital cases spanning the years 1977 to 2009 ( N = 1, 285). Findings indicate that cases with a female victim who was not involved in illegal activity at the time of the murder and acquaintance female victim cases are most likely to result in a death recommendation. Potential reasons for these findings are discussed.