Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Committee Chair
James Nolan
Abstract
Although the death penalty is popular by most accounts, is it really a good social policy? The purpose of this study is to add to this discussion by examining the factors that directly impact death penalty cases. The data used in this study come from the state level database which contains information on all decisions of initial capital direct, state and federal habeas corpus cases between 1973 and 1995. What are the factors that lead some state compared to others to use the death penalty more often? Some have suggested that this could be the result of a minority-majority conflict. The author discusses her findings in the context of the social policy debate and makes recommendations for change.
Recommended Citation
Micka, Bridget Ann, "Revisiting capital punishment: Factors that matter when receiving the death penalty (a state by state analysis)" (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 4248.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4248