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Clearance rates for homicides with Latino or Black victims are significantly lower than homicides with White victims. Additionally, “the odds of a death penalty charge are 62–65% lower for cases with Black victims and 47–49% lower for cases with Latino victims."

Examining the Sources of Racial Bias in Potentially Capital Cases Examining the Sources of Racial Bias in Potentially Capital Cases Compared to cases involving White victims, the odds of clearance are 26% lower for Latino victims (see Table 2). For Blacks, however, victim race is not significant (see Table 2). According to Model 1, a 1-unit change in the percentage of Black residents corresponds to a 35% reduction in the odds of clearance, while the odds of clearance decrease by 21% as the Latino population increases by 1%. Like prior research, cases with incident characteristics typically associated with greater evidence are more likely to be cleared. Compared to cases involving White victims, the odds of clearance are 26% lower for Latino victims (see Table 2). For Blacks, however, victim race is not significant (see Table 2). According to Model 1, a 1-unit change in the percentage of Black residents corresponds to a 35% reduction in the odds of clearance, while the odds of clearance decrease by 21% as the Latino population increases by 1%. Like prior research, cases with incident characteristics typically associated with greater evidence are more likely to be cleared.
Examining the Sources of Racial Bias in Potentially Capital Cases
Race and Justice
Petersen, Nick
Vol. 7 Issue 1, pp. 7–34, 2017
10.1177/2153368716645842
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