The Color of Justice in Oklahoma: Connections between Racial Disparity and the Death Penalty

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Racial disparity among death row inmates has often been questioned. Although the populations of African Americans and whites are relatively equal on death row, African Americans are being executed at much higher rates for murdering white victims. Flaws within our U.S. legal system, peremptory strikes, and prosecutor discretion have opened the door to personal racial biases and racial discrimination. The media, racial stereotypes, and racial resentment all have an impact on the public’s view of capital punishment. Legislators and Supreme Court justices are more likely to support the death penalty, due to pressures of the public and the competitiveness of being appointed. Geographic locations also have a profound impact on minorities in capital murder trials. This research examines if racial disparity exists among Oklahoma death row inmates, and whether the race-victim effect applies to inmates who are currently on death row, or who have had their execution carried out. This research will also examine the demographics of Oklahoma inmates, and explore the time each subject group has spent on death row in Oklahoma prisons.

Author

• Ramario Holland, University of Central Oklahoma