the death penalty: deterrence and question of racial equality
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The Death Penalty: Deterrence and Question of Racial Equality. Law and Social Science L6172 Prof. Jeffrey Fagan March 6 2006 Vijay Singh. Gregg v. Georgia 428 U.S. 153 (1976). Facts: D was charged with armed robbery and murder Guilty: 2 counts of murder / 2 counts of armed robbery - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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The Death Penalty:Deterrence and Question of Racial
Equality
Law and Social Science L6172Prof. Jeffrey Fagan
March 6 2006Vijay Singh
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Gregg v. Georgia 428 U.S. 153 (1976)
Facts:- D was charged with armed robbery and murder- Guilty: 2 counts of murder / 2 counts of armed
robbery- Sentenced to death
- Aggravating Circumstances:- Committed in the course of a felony- Committed for the purpose of receiving money
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Furman: A precedent
“It may be that we now possess all the proof that anyone could ever hope to assemble on the subject (deterrence and the death penalty). But, even if further proof were to be forthcoming, I believe there is more than enough evidence presently available for a decision in this case”
– Justice Marshall’s concurrence in regards to Sellin study
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Gregg: The court’s holding
“The results have simply been inconclusive” - (Justice Stewart discussing statistical attempt to evaluate death
penalty as deterrent)
Court deferred judgment to state legislatures of policy rationale behind death penalty
Held that the current Georgia system wasn’t as arbitrary as pre-Furman
Therefore, no violation of 8th or 14th amendment
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Dr. Ehrlich: His study
Econometric Study performed by Dr. Isaac Ehrlich
Hypothesis:
“If the execution ‘risk’
declines, then the murder rate will go up”
Universe: All murders from 1933-1969
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What does all this mean?
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Erlich and his critics…
1. Period Effects
2. Nationally Aggregated Data
3. LWOP Effect?
4. Reliability of Information
5. Retest Troubles
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Later attempts at perfection
Other ways to conduct the study:
1. Matching- Similar to Sellin study, using similar states
2. Local Deterrence / Temporary Effects- Some studies have shown that there is a deterrent effect
close to execution site, for short times
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Interested in reading more???
Prof. Fagan's Testimony
Law and Econ View ???
More Studies...and Death Penalty Reading
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McClesky v. Kemp 481 U.S. 279 (1987)
Facts:- D was charged with two counts of armed robbery
and murder
- D was convicted and sentenced to death
- D filed petition for habeas corpus relief- Challenged death penalty with 8th and 14th amendment
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8th & 14th – The Constitution in Question
14th amendment – “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Washington v. Davis - Discriminatory intent necessary for equal protection claims
8th amendment –“nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted”
Zant (dicta) – Factors such as race are irrelevant to sentencing decisions and shouldn’t be considered Uncertainty over what standard of proof necessary
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McClesky: The court’s holding
Court of Appeals and SCOTUS accepted the study as true
However, no discriminatory intent
Concern over slippery slope
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Proportionality Review
Problems:1. Universe Problems
2. Subjectivity
3. Replication
Solutions:1. Scale / Index Construction
2. Objective criteria / Guidelines for judges
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Dr. Baldus: His work and findings
- Commissioned by the LDF
- Two Parts: 1. Procedure2. Charging and Sentencing
- Universe:- 2,485 Post-Furman
Cases in Georgia
- Most comprehensive study to date
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What did he find??
Race of victim equal to:1. Multiple stabbings
2. Serious (felony) prior record
3. Armed robbery involved
Prosecutorial Discretion More likely to seek death
penalty Less likely to grant plea
bargain
4% Black D’s / 7% White D’s
Black D / White Victim
22%
White D / White Victim
8%
Black D / Black Victim
1%
White D/ Black Victim
3%
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Problems with mid-level cases
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Problems with mid level cases
Georgia Charging and Sentencing Study Graph
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Sentencing for White Victims Sentencing for Black Victims
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How bad is this study?
1. Data in parole files was incomplete
2. Differences in Coding
3. Rebuttable Presumption
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The Singh study ???
Wouldn’t change the method of the study much
Challenge Jury Pool – Change of Venue
“By so limiting capital punishment equal protection claims, the court in McClesky created a nearly
insuperable barrier to proof.”
- David Baldus on holding in McClesky
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Going Forward
Justice Powell“my understanding of statistical analysis ranges from limited
to zero”
Daubert standards
Judicial Education ?
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