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The influence of heterogeneous exposure and pre-deliberation queries on pretrial publicity effects |
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| Authors: | Jon Bruschke Andrew Gonis III Sarah A Hill Pam Fiber-Ostrow William Loges |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Human Communication Studies, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA;2. Division of Politics, Administration &3. Justice, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA;4. New Media Communications/Sociology Program, School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA |
| Abstract: | Prior research on pretrial publicity has produced mixed results and a roughly equal number of studies show an effect, show no effect, or show mixed results. We explored the effects of (a) homogenous vs. heterogeneous exposure (whether deliberating jurors were all exposed to the same publicity or not) and (b) pre-deliberation queries as potential contributors to mixed results. We found an effect for positive but not negative publicity on conviction rates but not evidence ratings. Exposure heterogeneity appears to explain these differences and pre-deliberation queries did appear to play some role in the obtained outcomes. Overall these findings do not replicate a robust publicity effect and future research should consider how homogeneous exposure and pre-deliberation opinion queries influence results. |
| Keywords: | Pretrial publicity exposure homogeneity pre-deliberation query bias free press fair trials due process |