Assumptions of Leadership During Capital Deliberations: Putting the “Man” in “Foreman”

• In Event: Capital Punishment Decision-Making and Discretionary Issues

Abstract

The broader purpose of this research is to shed light on the role of gender in capital juror and jury decision-making. To do so, this project draws from the narrative accounts of former capital jurors. This project employs a qualitative methodological approach using in-depth interview data collected as part of the Capital Jury Project (CJP). The analysis reveals that male and female capital jurors behave distinctly in a number of ways, but this presentation focuses on one particular disparity: the (in)frequency of and approach toward filling the role of jury foreperson. Put succinctly, men serve as jury foreperson more often and are more likely to adopt a take-charge approach toward capital jury management when compared with women. Instances that complicate or contradict these hegemonic trends are also considered to produce a more nuanced analysis.

Author

• Heather Pruss, Indiana University