Reference no: EM13940852

Would a death sentence in John's case result in specific or general deterrence? To other officers? To the community in general? To other criminals? How does the data measure up to the myths and misconceptions generally held about capital punishment?

What types of crimes are punished by death in michigan state?

How humane is capital punishment?

Can capital punishment be administered without prejudice?

What does it cost to execute someone?

Based on recent statistical data and findings, how often are innocent people given the death sentence and/or executed?

Should everyone be a candidate for capital punishment or should some people be exempt based on their position in the society? Are there any other factors that should be considered in exempting people from or applying the death penalty?

Myths and Misconceptions About Policing and Courts

The body of an 18-year-old African-American female who appears to have been brutally raped and murdered was found on a busy street in the business district of San Diego, the second-largest city in California.

Based on preliminary investigation, police release a description of the suspected rapist to the media. Police describe the suspect as an "African-American male, 30 to 35 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, thin, muscular build, shaven, and with long hair." The police inform the media that the victim worked at a local bar, Red Dome, and was probably raped while going home. However, the police refuse to comment about the kind of evidence found so far in the case.

Two days later, an old homeless man comes forward and claims that the body of the female was dumped from a police car and the officer in the police car was not of African-American origin. The police downplay this possibility and continue hunting for suspects that meet their description. Eventually, the police arrest a
27-year-old African American who matches their description and has an extensive criminal background including convictions for sexual assault.

In a follow-up article on the case, a leading newspaper focuses on the fact that the bar where the girl worked is owned by two retired police officers and is a popular hangout for off-duty law enforcement officers. Citing the homeless man as their source, the newspaper hints at police involvement in the case and possible foul play. There are also hints about a police cover-up. Following this report, the police chief orders a fresh investigation into the matter. Based on eyewitness information, police later arrest John, a highway patrol officer, for the crime. During interrogation, John reveals that he knew the girl and had offered her a lift from the bar on the day of the incident. He admits to sexually assaulting the girl in his car and killing her. John is relieved of his duties and charged with rape and murder.

The story receives national media coverage, and human rights activists lobby for harsh action against the officer and the officials who tried to cover up his actions. In an unusual step, the district attorney (DA), who is running for reelection, leads the prosecution. Citizens' groups are also voicing their outrage and demanding that the criminal justice system should take a very serious view of crimes committed by law enforcement officials. They are also demanding that Red Dome be closed down and officers frequenting the club be reprimanded. In the meantime, other women have come forward claiming to have been assaulted at the police club by John and other officers. The parents of the murdered girl plan to file a wrongful death civil suit against the police and the city.

The city's police union has issued a statement saying that the officer involved might have been reacting to "police stress syndrome." The union claims that the nature of the police work is dangerous and involves high stress levels. The union states that if the officer is convicted, he should be sentenced to treatment for "police stress syndrome" rather than incarceration. A member of the police union also states that death penalty is not effective as a deterrent to crime, so little would be gained from sentencing the officer to death.

You are a supervisory special agent with the Department of Justice in San Diego and have been appointed as member of a task force to examine John's case. For additional background on John's case, you study all the case files and examine prevailing myths and perceptions about law enforcement officials, police misconduct, and capital punishment. The task force needs to examine whether the justice system is too lenient or too harsh, or oppressive in nature either to law enforcement officials or to the general public. The task force also needs to determine where these perceptions are generated and how to manage them more effectively to reduce problems within the community. The task force will submit its findings to the city council and recommend measures to dispel prevailing myths about the criminal justice system and to mend the system and to improve the relations between the police department and the community.

The other members of the task force include community leaders, social activists, union leaders, legal experts, and law enforcement experts