Death Penalty Cases Show Racial Bias

[flashl]

New research by Scott Phillips, associate professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Denver, finds that in Harris County, TX the District Attorney (DA) was more likely to pursue the death penalty when the defendant was African American and less likely to pursue the death penalty when the victim was African American. The study, "Racial Disparities in the Capital of Capital Punishment," will be published in the Houston Law Review this fall.

"Conventional wisdom holds that the race of the victim is pivotal," Phillips says. "But, current research suggests that the race of the defendant and victim are both pivotal."

...

"Discrimination implies purposeful action," Phillips says. "I am certain that the Harris County DA does not intend for race to influence the process."

In fact, the percentage distribution suggests that the DA sought the death penalty against African American and Caucasian defendants at the same rate. However, the racial disparity is found when looking at the nature of the crime. African American defendants committed murders that were less serious, according to objective measures, yet the odds of the DA pursuing a death penalty trial were 1.75 times higher against African American defendants than Caucasian defendants.

"To impose equal punishment against unequal crimes is to impose unequal punishment," Philips says.

Medical News Today

[Brewman_Jax]

1. Multiple reports have been compiled

that show the glaring injustices imposed on people of color by social/institutional racism. In the light of those facts, the whines of "double standard", esp. in the primary voting exit polls, ring extremely hollow.

Note that there's no whine of double standard in the "justice" system by white people.