Introduction
Death penalty which had been abolished in 1970s was quickly restored during 1970s itself. There have been charges of racial discrimination in the application of death penalty both before and after abolition and restoration of death penalty. Research on the subject suggests a pattern of racial discrimination. Since 1976, percentage of blacks executed has been 35 while, the blacks form just 12 % of the total population. Research indicates that blacks are four times more likely to receive death penalty than if the defendant is white. In 2000, percentage of blacks on death row statewide were 46 % in Alabama, 36 % California, ...