Capital Trials in the US – Mitigation Investigation and Evidence

When: 6:00 - 7.00pm, Wednesday 22 July.

Where: GM16

Interested in the Death Penalty? Want to learn more about evidence in sentencing at capital trials in the US?

ReprieveAustralia presents a Q&A on mitigation investigation and evidence in capital trials in Louisiana, USA. The Q&A guest is Steve Merlan, a Capital Defence Mitigation Specialist at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center, New Orleans.

As a mitigation specialist, Steve's role is to assist indigent clients facing the death penalty by investigating and collating evidence that the defence can present in the sentencing phase of a capital trial. This evidence is aimed at providing reasons why the defendant should not receive a death sentence. Mitigation evidence can include mental problems, remorse, youth, childhood abuse or neglect, a minor role in the homicide, or the absence of a prior criminal record. By providing this evidence, defence counsel aims to expand the narrative of clients' lives, contextualize the actions of which they are accused within that narrative, and provide reasons for juries to feel empowered to choose a life sentence over death.

We look forward to seeing you there.