- The relationship between race and sentence is moderated by victim blaming.
- There was a main effect of victim sexuality but not victim race on sentence.
- Victim blame does not moderate the relationship between victim sexuality and prison sentence.
- H1: We expect main effects and an interaction of race and sexual orientation on sentencing severity.
- H2: The relationship between race and sentencing will be moderated by victim blame.
- H3: The relationship between sexuality and sentencing will be moderated by victim blame.
Juror Decision-Making in Gun Violence Cases: The Impact of Victim Race and Sexuality
- In 2020, gun homicide rates reached its highest point in 26 years (Kegler et al., 2022).
- Sentences are harsher when victims are White, and Black victims receive more blame (Baldus et al., 1990; Bottoms et al., 2004; Radelet & Pierce, 2011).
- Research on victim sexuality is limited and conflicting.
- There are gaps in current research where victim race and sexuality intersect, and there is little on gun violence.
Emily G. Eshleman & Christopher J. Normile, PhD
Department of Psychology, Allegheny College
- We would like to thank the John R. McCune Charitable Trust for providing funding for this research
- We would also like to thank Allegheny College’s Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activities (URSCA) office for their support as well.
Likelihood of
Life in Prison
Race and Victim Blaming on Sentence
Sentence severity was higher for defendants who murdered a homosexual man than a heterosexual man.
As victim blaming increases, sentencing severity decreases for defendants with white victims.
- Future research should examine the impact that hate crime perceptions have on victim blaming and sentencing severity.
- Participants
- 114 Prolific Workers (Mage = 35.59, SD = 12.53; 49.1% Men and 46.5% Women)
- 76% White, 9.6% Black, 7.08% Asian, 6.14% Other
- Design
- 2 (Victim Race) x 2 (Victim Sexuality) between-subjects
- Outcomes
- Perceptions of victim and crime
- Likelihood of life sentence