The Summer Interns Files-Lauren

I have been getting involved with the Without Prejudice Project that Anna Ling has been heading up with representatives from UCL and UPenn. Coincidentally, I attend UPenn in the states so it was a great way for me to meet those representatives and establish a relationship with them to hopefully do more work with Amicus when I return to campus. The central question that this project examines is: What, if any, racial and/or geographical factors correlate with the decision to sentence defendants to death? After several meetings, we came to the conclusion that we would begin by focusing on Louisiana and then hopefully use that as a template for further states. An important part of the study will require an in depth legal analysis of the death penalty laws within Louisiana including an understanding of the statutory aggravating circumstances for a homicide that would warrant a death sentence. After meeting with a statistician at UCL, he pointed out that our proposal needs to demonstrate more about the innovative nature of the project. Over the past few weeks I have been researching the death penalty system in Louisiana and writing up important points to sufficiently prove that Louisiana is a unique state that would make this research project a worthwhile and valuable resource.