When one thinks about the death penalty, they should imagine someone committing a horrific crime, such as murder. However, race plays a significant role in death penalty cases. It’s evident that if one is on trial for committing murder and they are found guilty, most likely they will face jail time no matter the color of their skin. It’s also evident when determining if one will face the death penalty if the defendant is African American. In my opinion, anyone who commits a horrific crime should face their consequences, but the consequences shouldn 't be tougher for people of color. Many years ago during the time of slavery, black people were considered property (Dieter 1998). People of color were victims of many hate crimes and malicious
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This argument also ties in with slavery because although lynchings were illegal, there was no justice served if the victim was black as like how it is with the death penalty. A data collection within the Florida population justifies the "specialist" argument. This information analyzed the percentage of death sentences by a race of suspect and victim. If black people kill within their race, there 's a six percent chance it 'll result in the death penalty; whereas, if a black person kills a white person, there 's a 28.8 percent chance that it 'll lead to the death penalty. Also if the victim is black, there 's a seven percent chance that it 'll result in the death penalty; but if the victim is white, there 's a 27.5 percent chance that it 'll lead to the death penalty (McAdams 1998, 161). This data proves that there is a lack of concern in regards to the death sentence for victims if they are …show more content…
However, race can have an effect on the jury selection as well. The North Carolina v. Golphin et al. case demonstrates how racial discrimination played a role in selecting jurors. The North Carolina v. Golphin et al. case is another instance where the defendants deserved to face the consequences, but not because of their race. Some of the potential black jurors were eliminated because of their criminal background, but the white potential with the same issues was allowed (American Civil Liberties Union 2015). After carefully reviewing the case the judge made the decision to repeal their death sentences and sentence them to life in prison because their files showed racial bias in the jury selection (Lyon 2015,
This argument also ties in with slavery because although lynchings were illegal, there was no justice served if the victim was black as like how it is with the death penalty. A data collection within the Florida population justifies the "specialist" argument. This information analyzed the percentage of death sentences by a race of suspect and victim. If black people kill within their race, there 's a six percent chance it 'll result in the death penalty; whereas, if a black person kills a white person, there 's a 28.8 percent chance that it 'll lead to the death penalty. Also if the victim is black, there 's a seven percent chance that it 'll result in the death penalty; but if the victim is white, there 's a 27.5 percent chance that it 'll lead to the death penalty (McAdams 1998, 161). This data proves that there is a lack of concern in regards to the death sentence for victims if they are …show more content…
However, race can have an effect on the jury selection as well. The North Carolina v. Golphin et al. case demonstrates how racial discrimination played a role in selecting jurors. The North Carolina v. Golphin et al. case is another instance where the defendants deserved to face the consequences, but not because of their race. Some of the potential black jurors were eliminated because of their criminal background, but the white potential with the same issues was allowed (American Civil Liberties Union 2015). After carefully reviewing the case the judge made the decision to repeal their death sentences and sentence them to life in prison because their files showed racial bias in the jury selection (Lyon 2015,