Race plays a significant role in who receives the death penalty in Washington. Research compiled by the Washington Death Penalty Assistance Center, revealed that death notices have never been filed in a case with a white defendant and a black victim, while such notices have been filed in 42% of murder cases with a black defendant and a white victim. Of the 10 individuals currently on death row in Washington, nine cases involved a white victim and none involved a black victim. In addition, every juror that convicted and sentenced the black defendants was white. (Washington Death Penalty Assistance Center, May 2003) See Race.
Citation Guide
- Death Penalty Information Center (2025, March 14). Race Plays Powerful Role in Washington State Death Penalty Cases. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/race-plays-powerful-role-in-washington-state-death-penalty-cases
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Race Plays Powerful Role in Washington State Death Penalty Cases.” Last modified March 14, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2026. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/race-plays-powerful-role-in-washington-state-death-penalty-cases.
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Race Plays Powerful Role in Washington State Death Penalty Cases.” Death Penalty Information Center, 14 Mar. 2025, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/race-plays-powerful-role-in-washington-state-death-penalty-cases. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.