Death Penalty and False Positives

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In summary, when considering the decision to convict someone charged with murder and potentially give them the death penalty, jurors must also consider the variables of reality (whether the defendant is truly guilty or innocent) and decision (whether to convict or acquit). With a standard of "guilty beyond reasonable doubt," the probability that all defendants executed were truly guilty is 0.99. However, there is also a possibility that at least one of the 873 people put to death from 1977 until September 2003 was actually innocent, with a probability of 1 - 0.99^873. More information would be needed to determine the exact probability.
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Fear_of_Math
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Discussing wheather to convict someone charged with murder and give them the death penalty, consider the variables "reality (defendant guilty, defendant innocent) and "decision" (convict, acquit)

Jurors are asked to convict a defendant if they feel the defendant is "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" Suppose this means given the defendant is executed, the probability that s/he is truly guilty is 0.99. For the 873 people put to death from 1977 until September 2003, find the probability that:

i) they were all truly guilty

ii) at least on of them was actually innocent
 
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  • #2
Okay, is P(all those executed were actually guilty)= 0.99^873?
P(at least one innocent)= 0.01^873

Anyone who can let me know if I'm on the right track is appreciated =)
 
  • #3
0.01^873 is the probability that they're all innocent

P(at least one of them is innocent) = 1 - P(all 873 are guilty)
 

Related to Death Penalty and False Positives

What is the death penalty?

The death penalty is a form of punishment where a person is put to death for a crime they have been convicted of. It is typically reserved for the most serious crimes, such as murder, and is considered the ultimate punishment.

What is a false positive in relation to the death penalty?

A false positive in the context of the death penalty refers to a situation where an innocent person is convicted and sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. This can occur due to various factors, such as faulty evidence, witness misidentification, or inadequate legal representation.

How common are false positives in death penalty cases?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific case. However, studies have shown that the rate of wrongful convictions in death penalty cases is significantly higher than in non-capital cases, indicating a higher risk of false positives in these types of cases.

What are the consequences of a false positive in a death penalty case?

The consequences of a false positive in a death penalty case are severe and irreversible. An innocent person may lose their life as a result of the false conviction, and their loved ones and community may also suffer. Additionally, the real perpetrator of the crime may remain free, posing a continued threat to society.

What measures are in place to prevent false positives in death penalty cases?

There are several measures in place to prevent false positives in death penalty cases, such as DNA testing, improved investigative techniques, and access to quality legal representation. However, these measures are not foolproof, and there is still a risk of false positives occurring in death penalty cases.

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