Answer to Question 1
Possibility of error, complex processing, and appellate delay are reasons the review process of a death penalty case is so lengthy. Because of the terrible consequence of a false conviction in a death penalty case, it is critical to determine if any error influenced the outcome of the trial. Also, the death penalty appeal is a very complex process and takes time to weave from one stage to the other. There is also appellate delay. Appeals courts are under case pressure and case overload. Appeals courts take a lengthy time to respond to a case before them. Federal judges tend to submit findings that are more extensive and better researched than is true of state appeals courts.
Answer to Question 2
There are approximately 3,000 people currently on death row in the United States. Of these people, approximately 55 percent are white, 42 percent are black. There are also around 50 women on death row, making up only 2 percent of the death row population. The largest numbers of death row inmates are Southern males. Many have low intellectual ability and have histories of trauma, substance abuse, and family problems. They also have a high rate of psychological disorders. Most death row inmates do not display violent behavior while they are incarcerated.
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