(Science Bloggers) A defendant is much more likely to be sentenced to death if he or she kills a “high-status” victim, according to new research by Scott Phillips, associate professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Denver (DU).

According to his research published in Law and Society Review, (43-4:807-837), the probability of being sentenced to death is much greater if a defendant kills a white or Hispanic victim who is married with a clean criminal record and a college degree, as opposed to a black or Asian victim who is single with a prior criminal record and no college degree.

Read the rest: Defendants more likely to be sentenced to death if victims are of high status – Science News & Press Releases.

 March 6, 2010  Posted by at 8:50 pm  Add comments

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