Exploring
the Intersection of Capital Punishment, Wrongful Convictions, and Racial Bias
in the United States
How does racial bias impact the application of
capital punishment in the United States, and what are the implications for
wrongful convictions?
Capital punishment in the United States is
influenced by racial bias, leading to disparities in execution rates based on
the race and gender of the victim. These biases contribute to wrongful
convictions, highlighting systemic injustices within the criminal justice
system.
a. Racial
and gender biases influence execution rates in the United States.
i. “Our study found that cases involving
white victims are more likely to result in death sentences compared to cases
with black victims.” (Baumgartner et al., 2016, p. 805)
1. This citation provides empirical evidence of
racial disparities in the application of the death penalty, supporting the
argument that race plays a significant role in capital punishment outcomes.
ii. “Black defendants are
disproportionately sentenced to death for crimes against white victims,
reflecting systemic racial biases in the criminal justice system.” (Wu,
2022, p. 877)
1. Wu’s research highlights the disproportionate
impact of race on death penalty sentences, underscoring the need to address
racial bias within the legal system.
b. Wrongful conviction rates are influenced by
systemic biases.
i. Studies show that minorities, particularly
African Americans, are more likely to be wrongfully convicted of capital crimes
due to factors such as inadequate legal representation and racial prejudice.
(Creswell, 2012)
1. Creswell’s text emphasizes the systemic
factors contributing to wrongful convictions, including racial prejudice and
disparities in legal representation.
ii. “The wrongful conviction rate has a
significant negative impact on public support for the death penalty,
highlighting concerns about the fairness and accuracy of capital
punishment.” (Wu, 2022, p. 882)
1. Wu’s research demonstrates the correlation
between wrongful conviction rates and public attitudes towards the death
penalty, suggesting that concerns about wrongful convictions undermine support
for capital punishment.
c. Racial bias in the criminal justice system
exacerbates the risk of wrongful convictions.
i. “Evidence suggests that racial biases in
jury selection and sentencing contribute to disparities in death penalty
outcomes, increasing the likelihood of wrongful convictions for minority
defendants.” (Baumgartner et al., 2016, p. 825)
1. Baumgartner et al.’s study highlights the
role of racial bias in exacerbating the risk of wrongful convictions in capital
cases, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to address racial disparities.
ii. “The overrepresentation of minorities
on death row reflects systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system,
including biased policing practices and discriminatory sentencing
policies.” (Creswell, 2012)
1. Creswell’s text underscores the systemic
inequalities that contribute to racial disparities in capital punishment
outcomes, shedding light on the structural factors that perpetuate wrongful
convictions.
In conclusion, racial bias in the criminal
justice system influences the application of capital punishment and exacerbates
the risk of wrongful convictions, highlighting systemic injustices that
undermine the fairness and integrity of the death penalty.
References
Baumgartner, F. R., Johnson, E., Wilson, C.,
& Whitehead, C. (2016). These Lives Matter, Those Ones Don’t: Comparing
Execution Rates by the Race and Gender of the Victim in the U.S. And in the Top
Death Penalty States. *Albany Law Review, 79*(3), 797–860.
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning,
conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research.
Pearson Education, Inc.
Wu, S. (2022). The effect of wrongful conviction
rate on death penalty support: a research note. *Journal of Experimental
Criminology, 18*(4), 871–884. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-021-09467-w
Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association ()
