Mitigation in Capital Sentencing: Evidence from Trial Transcripts and Juror Interviews (Capital Jury Project)

William J. Bowers, James R. Acker and Charles S. Lanier
Co-Project Directors

The Capital Jury project will examine how receptive capital jurors are to evidence and arguments of mitigation when making their life or death punishment decisions. More specifically, this research is designed 1) to determine the nature and extent of mitigation actually presented to jurors in capital cases (from trial transcripts); 2) to assess the extent to which jurors give effect to such mitigation by recognizing the mitigating nature of such factors and considering or relying on them in their decision making (through interviews with capital jurors); and 3) to gain a more refined understanding of how jurors make the capital sentencing decision both individually and as a group, in light of the aggravating and mitigating evidence actually presented to them and the impediments they experience in their consideration of mitigation.

Detailed Description of Capital Punishment Research Initiative

Sponsoring Agency
National Science Foundation

Staff
Charles S. Lanier

Contact information
Telephone: (518) 442-5231

E-mail: dpmitigate@hotmail.com

FAX: (518) 442-5603

Write:

Capital Jury Project

Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Center

University at Albany, SUNY

135 Western Avenue, DR-241

Albany, NY 12222