<p>This study examined if race and age interact to influence juror perceptions of eyewitness memory and defendant guilt. Eyewitness age (i.e., 12- vs. 18 years old), eyewitness race (i.e., Indigenous vs. White), and defendant race (i.e., Indigenous vs. White) were manipulated using a mock-trial transcript. Participants (<i>N</i> = 275) read a mock-trial transcript describing the alleged physical abuse of a student by a teacher at their school. Participants were asked to assign a verdict, rate their perceptions of the defendant and victim-eyewitness, and answer questions related to racial bias. Contrary to the hypotheses, Indigenous eyewitness testimony resulted in more guilty verdicts, higher guilt ratings, less favorable perceptions of the defendant, and more favorable perceptions of the eyewitness. Mock-jurors were more punitive toward White defendants and held more favorable perceptions of Indigenous defendants. Racial bias scores moderated the relationships between eyewitness race, defendant race, and the interaction of eyewitness-defendant race for verdict decisions and perceptions of trial party members. This research contributes to the understanding of racial bias in juror decision-making research and may have practical implications for legal decision-making.</p>

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When Indigenous Canadians Take the Stand: The Influence of Age and Race on Mock-Juror Perceptions and Verdict Decisions

  • Alexia Vettese,
  • Joanna Pozzulo

摘要

This study examined if race and age interact to influence juror perceptions of eyewitness memory and defendant guilt. Eyewitness age (i.e., 12- vs. 18 years old), eyewitness race (i.e., Indigenous vs. White), and defendant race (i.e., Indigenous vs. White) were manipulated using a mock-trial transcript. Participants (N = 275) read a mock-trial transcript describing the alleged physical abuse of a student by a teacher at their school. Participants were asked to assign a verdict, rate their perceptions of the defendant and victim-eyewitness, and answer questions related to racial bias. Contrary to the hypotheses, Indigenous eyewitness testimony resulted in more guilty verdicts, higher guilt ratings, less favorable perceptions of the defendant, and more favorable perceptions of the eyewitness. Mock-jurors were more punitive toward White defendants and held more favorable perceptions of Indigenous defendants. Racial bias scores moderated the relationships between eyewitness race, defendant race, and the interaction of eyewitness-defendant race for verdict decisions and perceptions of trial party members. This research contributes to the understanding of racial bias in juror decision-making research and may have practical implications for legal decision-making.