The impact of time on the healing process of families of capital murder victims
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Criminology Centre
Abstract
There is a notable lack of empirical research focusing on the 'victims' of death-eligible homicide (the most heinous of homicides that could result in a death penalty). For the purpose of this proposal, I use 'victims' to refer to surviving family members of homicide victims. Although crime directly impacts surviving victims of homicide cases, little is known about whether or not a death sentence impacts victims' well-being (Armour and Umbreit, 2006). I propose to address this gap in academic literature by investigating the impact of the death penalty on the families of homicide victims in the US, through the lens of time. Principally, I am interested in whether the processes of healing and closure, which are commonly used as justification for capital punishment, are perhaps being interrupted over time, and in particular, by the lengthy appeals process associated with capital cases.
According to Madeira (2016), capital punishment's procedural realities are far from therapeutic, and instead create further distress for family members. For example, the lengthy habeas appeals process often postpones executions for a decade or more, with two-thirds of death sentences being overturned on appeal nationwide (ibid.). I suggest that the well-known colloquial phrase, 'time is a healer', may only be applicable where there are few or no other aggravating factors preventing these therapeutic processes from occurring. Such factors, for example, may include regular media reports of a case each time a new appeal is heard in the courts, reminding the families of the case and having a potentially re-traumatising effect. It will be important to see whether life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) may provide an easier resolution for victims.
Thus, I will compare the healing and closure processes of victims from both capital cases and LWOP cases. I propose to interview victims post-sentencing, covering as wide a range of timescales as possible. In doing so, I seek to understand whether capital punishment provides greater comfort and closure for victims than LWOP; or, if victims fare better following an LWOP sentence.
The findings of this kind of study should provide a deeper understanding of the impact of long capital habeas appeals on victims' families and, in particular, assess the potential of the death penalty to aggravate and interrupt, rather than contribute towards the healing process. I hope that my research will inform human rights organisations, as well as advancing policies that prioritise the families of homicide victims.
According to Madeira (2016), capital punishment's procedural realities are far from therapeutic, and instead create further distress for family members. For example, the lengthy habeas appeals process often postpones executions for a decade or more, with two-thirds of death sentences being overturned on appeal nationwide (ibid.). I suggest that the well-known colloquial phrase, 'time is a healer', may only be applicable where there are few or no other aggravating factors preventing these therapeutic processes from occurring. Such factors, for example, may include regular media reports of a case each time a new appeal is heard in the courts, reminding the families of the case and having a potentially re-traumatising effect. It will be important to see whether life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) may provide an easier resolution for victims.
Thus, I will compare the healing and closure processes of victims from both capital cases and LWOP cases. I propose to interview victims post-sentencing, covering as wide a range of timescales as possible. In doing so, I seek to understand whether capital punishment provides greater comfort and closure for victims than LWOP; or, if victims fare better following an LWOP sentence.
The findings of this kind of study should provide a deeper understanding of the impact of long capital habeas appeals on victims' families and, in particular, assess the potential of the death penalty to aggravate and interrupt, rather than contribute towards the healing process. I hope that my research will inform human rights organisations, as well as advancing policies that prioritise the families of homicide victims.
