The Effects of Lost/Rejected Aggravating and Mitigating Factors on Capital Sentencing Outcomes in North Carolina (1977-2009)

• In Event: Capital Punishment: Sentencing Dilemmas and Concerns

Abstract

This study employs data on the population of capital murder trials in North Carolina (1977-2009) to examine the extent, if any, to which lost or reject aggravating and mitigating factors influence capital sentencing outcomes. Various functional forms are employed to examine this issue. The results support the claim that jury rejection of both aggravating and mitigating circumstances result in a penalty to the claimants case.

Authors

• Julie Krupa, University of South Florida

• M. Dwayne Smith, University of South Florida

• John Cochran, University of South Florida

• Beth Bjerregaard, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• Sondra Fogel, University of South Florida