Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim-Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing

Lane Kirkland Gillespie; Thomas A. Loughran; M. Dwayne Smith; Sondra J. Fogel; Beth Bjerregaard

doi:10.1177/1088767913485747

Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim-Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing

Lane Kirkland Gillespie, Thomas A. Loughran, M. Dwayne Smith, Sondra J. Fogel, Beth Bjerregaard

Sociology and Criminology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

23 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	175-195
Number of pages	21
Journal	Homicide Studies
Volume	18
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1088767913485747
State	Published - May 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Psychology (miscellaneous)
Law

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10.1177/1088767913485747

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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.",

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AU - Bjerregaard, Beth

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Exploring the Role of Victim Sex, Victim Conduct, and Victim-Defendant Relationship in Capital Punishment Sentencing

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

UN SDGs

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