Discussion
The petitioners in the case of McKlesky v. Kemp argued that the Baldus study proved that the State violated the equal protection clause because capital punishment in the state was being applied in a discriminatory fashion. For this discussion I would like you to:
Summarize the results of the Baldus study.
Tell me what result from the Baldus study you consider to be the most compelling in establishing that the death penalty was being applied in a discriminatory fashion and why you believe so.
Tell me what result from the Baldus study was the least compelling in making the case that the death penalty was being applied in a discriminatory fashion.
- Tell me whether you believe that the court decided this case correctly or incorrectly. In answering this part of the discussion, I want you to use examples from the ruling to support your argument. You may use text from the decision or the dissent.