Here, the results indicate that the odds of receiving a death sentence in a Black victim case are on average 97.3% lower than are the odds of a death sentence in a White victim case (i.e., 1-.027 or 97.3 %), controlling for the other variables in the analysis.
- Glenn L. Pierce & Michael L. Radelet, “Death Sentencing in East Baton Rouge Parish, 1990-2008” [to be published in a forthcoming issue of the Louisiana Law Review]
Again, from a new study to be published soon in the Louisiana Law Review, yet another confirmation about how racism fuels the death penalty.
If only the Supreme Court in their jurisprudence would weigh practical consequences of their death penalty decisions. Along with the Framers’ intent, historical context, textual interpretation and precedent, there’s also “purpose” and “practical consequences” to consider.
The 14th Amendment clearly calls for “equal justice under law” - yet here in East Baton Rouge Parish in the Deep South former, black-lynching slave state, is this whopping, blatant, crying-to-heaven pattern of so valuing the lives of White victims over the lives of African Americans. That the chances of prosecutors seeking the death penalty for the murderers of Black people is virtually nil. A 97.3 per cent value discount rate is very large, indeed.
In practice it says your-life-doesn’t-count-for-beans, so we’ll hardly ever seek the ultimate penalty for anyone who terminates your (miserable, troublesome, not-worth-the-trouble) life.
What’s the original purpose of the death penalty, what did it set out to achieve when it was put in place 30 plus years ago? So , how is it actually playing out in practice on the ground?
If justices on the United States Supreme Court would remove their ideological blinders in “interpreting” the Constitution to include practical consequences, they would end the death penalty tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.