Psychological Testimony and the Decisions of Prospective Death-Qualified Jurors (From Death Penalty in America: Current Research, P 71-88, 1991, Robert M Bohm, ed. -- See NCJ-127534)

• NCJ Number: 127539
• Author(s): F P Williams III; M D McSahne
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Anderson Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines the effect of psychiatric testimony on the sentencing decisions of jurors in capital cases regarding issues of credibility and changing conviction decisions.

Abstract

Data was obtained from a survey mailed to prospective jurors that contained a factorial scenario and a questionnaire package on jury and trial issues. The survey procedure resulted in 1,389 responses. The two independent variables were temporary insanity and the more general term, mental illness, whereas trust, conviction, and sentencing comprised the dependent variables. Data analysis reveals that a crime control/due process scheme influences the minds of prospective jurors, particularly perception of psychiatric testimony and the reception of insanity evidence during the conviction and sentencing phases of a capital trial. The introduction of psychiatric testimony at the sentencing phase benefits a defendant dependent upon race and gender. However, introduction of psychiatric testimony at the conviction phase influences the prospective death qualified jurors to perceive this information negatively. 3 notes, 20 references, and 4 cases