Dateline: July, 2007, Issue 6
**previous research updates can be found in the Jury Research Kollectionn at www.kkcomcon.com
Do jury consultants affect verdicts in death penalty cases?
Jurors' attitudes about the death penalty are important to the outcome of capital cases and jury selection assistance has a demonstrable impact on sentencing recommendations.
Nietzel and Dillehay (1986) report a study that examined the outcomes of 35 capital trials where a jury consultant was used in 17 cases, and no jury consultant used in the other 18 cases. Juries recommended a sentence of death 33% of the time when a jury consultant was used, and 61% of the time when no jury consultant was used.
Defendants in capital cases that have the assistance of a jury consultant were twice as likely to receive a sentence of life, rather than death.
Source: Nietzel, M.T. & Dillehay, R.C. (1986). Psychological consultation in the courtrooms. New York: Pergamon Press.
Ó 2007, ComCon KATHY KELLERMANN COMMUNICATION CONSULTING
LITIGATION, TRIAL & JURY CONSULTANT FIRM