POLI 203 - Final Exam
How does the death penalty system established in Texas after Furman (1972) and ruled constitutional by
the Supreme Court in Jurek v. Texas (1976) differ from those established in other states? - Answers-In
Texas, juries consider a set of "special circumstances," including "future dangerousness" when deciding
on the death sentencing. Other states follow a system of mitigating and aggravating factors in
considering death sentencing.
What is the Marshall Hypothesis? - Answers-An argument, made by Justice Marshall positing that
support for the death penalty would decrease if the public had greater knowledge of the facts
surrounding the death penalty.
What makes a jury "death qualified?" - Answers-That members of the jury are willing to consider the
possibility of sentencing a person to death
True or False: The nation's homicide "hot spots" are NOT where the executions are concentrated. -
Answers-True
The states of __________ and _________ established death penalty systems with mandatory death
sentencing schemes. The Supreme Court ruled that these systems were unconstitutional. - Answers-
North Carolina and Louisiana
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the "guilt" phase (the first trial) in the
bifurcated trial process?
A. The burden of proof is on the defendant to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that they did
not commit the crime.
,B. The burden of proof is on the defendant to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that even if
they committed the crime, they do not deserve a death sentence.
C. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant committed the crime.
D. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a
preponderance of evidence that the defendant is among the worst of the worst and therefore deserves
death. - Answers-C. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant committed the crime.
In which decade did homicides peak in the United States? - Answers-1990's
What regions of the country have the highest homicide rates? - Answers-The Mississippi Delta and the
Mid-Atlantic Corridor
Select all that apply: Which of the following are grounds for appealing a death sentence ruling?
A. Suppressed or newly discovered evidence
B. Ineffective assistance of counsel
C. False instructions to the jury
D. Evidence of general pro-prosecution bias associated with death qualification. - Answers-A.
Suppressed or newly discovered evidence
B. Ineffective assistance of counsel
C. False instructions to the jury
In the modern era (post-Gregg, 1976), capital prosecutions occur: - Answers-At the discretion of the
district attorney, when a capital eligible homicide has occurred and the DA informs the court that they
intend to seek death.
, In what case did the Supreme Court ignore statistical evidence demonstrating disproportionate death
sentencing based on the race of the offender and the victim? - Answers-McCleskey v. Kemp (1987)
What was the central finding from the 2014 study by John Donahue titled "An Empirical Evaluation of
the of the Connecticut Death Penalty since 1973"? - Answers-That the egregiousness of the crimes
committed does not predict who gets a death sentence.
True or False: There is little difference in the rate of homicide per population in executing and non-
executing states. - Answers-True
In the wake of a homicide, the death penalty is most likely to be imposed if the victim is a
______________. - Answers-White female
What group did the Court decide was ineligible for the death penalty in Atkins v. Virginia (2002)? -
Answers-Those with severe intellectual deficiencies.
If ______________ were a state it would rank second in executions after Texas. - Answers-Harris County,
TX (Houston).
True or False: There is a strong correlation between high homicide rates and high execution rates -
Answers-False
Why are death sentences geographically concentrated, according to the book and lecture? - Answers-
Some jurisdictions are more likely to seek death.
Which of the following is the most common aggravating circumstance across states in the US?
A. Criminal sexual conduct.
B. Risk to many.
How does the death penalty system established in Texas after Furman (1972) and ruled constitutional by
the Supreme Court in Jurek v. Texas (1976) differ from those established in other states? - Answers-In
Texas, juries consider a set of "special circumstances," including "future dangerousness" when deciding
on the death sentencing. Other states follow a system of mitigating and aggravating factors in
considering death sentencing.
What is the Marshall Hypothesis? - Answers-An argument, made by Justice Marshall positing that
support for the death penalty would decrease if the public had greater knowledge of the facts
surrounding the death penalty.
What makes a jury "death qualified?" - Answers-That members of the jury are willing to consider the
possibility of sentencing a person to death
True or False: The nation's homicide "hot spots" are NOT where the executions are concentrated. -
Answers-True
The states of __________ and _________ established death penalty systems with mandatory death
sentencing schemes. The Supreme Court ruled that these systems were unconstitutional. - Answers-
North Carolina and Louisiana
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the "guilt" phase (the first trial) in the
bifurcated trial process?
A. The burden of proof is on the defendant to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that they did
not commit the crime.
,B. The burden of proof is on the defendant to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that even if
they committed the crime, they do not deserve a death sentence.
C. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant committed the crime.
D. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a
preponderance of evidence that the defendant is among the worst of the worst and therefore deserves
death. - Answers-C. The burden of proof is on the state to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant committed the crime.
In which decade did homicides peak in the United States? - Answers-1990's
What regions of the country have the highest homicide rates? - Answers-The Mississippi Delta and the
Mid-Atlantic Corridor
Select all that apply: Which of the following are grounds for appealing a death sentence ruling?
A. Suppressed or newly discovered evidence
B. Ineffective assistance of counsel
C. False instructions to the jury
D. Evidence of general pro-prosecution bias associated with death qualification. - Answers-A.
Suppressed or newly discovered evidence
B. Ineffective assistance of counsel
C. False instructions to the jury
In the modern era (post-Gregg, 1976), capital prosecutions occur: - Answers-At the discretion of the
district attorney, when a capital eligible homicide has occurred and the DA informs the court that they
intend to seek death.
, In what case did the Supreme Court ignore statistical evidence demonstrating disproportionate death
sentencing based on the race of the offender and the victim? - Answers-McCleskey v. Kemp (1987)
What was the central finding from the 2014 study by John Donahue titled "An Empirical Evaluation of
the of the Connecticut Death Penalty since 1973"? - Answers-That the egregiousness of the crimes
committed does not predict who gets a death sentence.
True or False: There is little difference in the rate of homicide per population in executing and non-
executing states. - Answers-True
In the wake of a homicide, the death penalty is most likely to be imposed if the victim is a
______________. - Answers-White female
What group did the Court decide was ineligible for the death penalty in Atkins v. Virginia (2002)? -
Answers-Those with severe intellectual deficiencies.
If ______________ were a state it would rank second in executions after Texas. - Answers-Harris County,
TX (Houston).
True or False: There is a strong correlation between high homicide rates and high execution rates -
Answers-False
Why are death sentences geographically concentrated, according to the book and lecture? - Answers-
Some jurisdictions are more likely to seek death.
Which of the following is the most common aggravating circumstance across states in the US?
A. Criminal sexual conduct.
B. Risk to many.
