Family Members Feelings towards the Death Penalty: Is Offender Race a Factor?

• In Event: Comparative Perspectives on the Death Penalty: An Agenda for the Next Generation of Capital Punishment Research

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the opinions co-victims on the employment of the death penalty. Based on the analysis in-depth interviews with 27 respondents, results suggest that race of offender does not play a role in their feelings towards the employment of the death penalty. Some respondents did assert that race may have played a role in the sentencing of offenders. Results also suggest that family members do not sustain a feeling of closure six months after executions when considering the race of the offender.

Authors

• Eric Bronson, Lamar University

• Mayra Picon, Florida State University