Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim–Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2014
Keywords
death penalty, gender, sentencing, victim/offender relationship, victim conduct
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/1088767913485747
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.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Homicide Studies, v. 18, issue 2, p. 175-195
Scholar Commons Citation
Gillespie, Lane K.; Loughran, Thomas A.; Smith, M. Dwayne; Fogel, Sondra J.; and Bjerregaard, Beth E., "Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim–Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing" (2014). Social Work Faculty Publications. 127.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/sok_facpub/127
