Sam, Frank, and Tom, all Black males, committed crimes that are surprisingly similar. Sam murdered a White female, a 22-year-old student on a city college campus. Frank murdered a Black female, a 40-year-old administrator on a suburban college campus. Tom murdered a Black female, a 36-year-old professor on a city college campus. Given these details, who is more likely to be sentenced to death?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research indicates that racial dynamics, including the race of the victim, can influence sentencing outcomes in capital cases. Sam, who murdered a White female, is statistically more likely to be sentenced to death due to the demonstrated bias in the criminal justice system that places a higher value on the lives of White victims.

Sam, Frank, and Tom, All Black Males, Committed Crimes That