Criminal Psychology Chapter 15 Death Penalty Influencing Public Policy Talbot Kellogg Community College

Do they understand? 1992 – Scott Panetti – Scott Panetti. Killed his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Killed his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Kept his wife and daughter hostage for the night. Kept his wife and daughter hostage for the night. Diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder. Diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder. Belief that the devil possessed their home. Belief that the devil possessed their home. Had stopped taking his medications. Had stopped taking his medications Ricky Ray Rector Ricky Ray Rector Killed a police officer. Killed a police officer. Turned gun on self, shooting himself in the head. Turned gun on self, shooting himself in the head. Functional level of a 5 year old. Functional level of a 5 year old.

Why get involved? Professional Bias Societal norms Personal Bias Competency & Competency for Execution Advise on the Theory of the Case Death Qualified Juries Aggravating factors – elevate the punishment Mitigating factors – temper the punishment

Courts and the Death Penalty Appellate Courts Inadequate representation Exculpatory evidence Typically unsympathetic U.S. Supreme Court 1972 – outlawed the death penalty as it qualified it as “cruel and unusual punishment” Reinstated it four years later, satisfied that state inequities had been corrected.

Specific Issues Children Children Mentally retarded Mentally retarded Terry Washington – Texas, 1997 Terry Washington – Texas, 1997 Issues of self control, judgment and perspective are lacking in these individuals.

Does the Death Penalty work? Decrease in crime or capital offenses? Decrease in crime or capital offenses? Conflicting data Conflicting data Cost effective? Cost effective? Imprisonment for life? Imprisonment for life? Carrying out the death penalty? Carrying out the death penalty? $2,000,000 difference per case $2,000,000 difference per case