Women Jurors in murder trials, like men, are often swayed by the "blame-the-victim-for-his-own-death" defense. This has been especially true when the victim is black, brown, and red young men.
But blaming the victim is a slippery slope for women because it is a defense used successfully, mostly by white males in the rape and sexual violation of a woman's body--of any complexion-black, white, brown, red, or yellow. The similarities between the defense in murder and rape are eerily parallel. The blame-the-victim defense has been successfully used even when a woman is murdered and there is no doubt or dispute about who committed the murder.
1. Female Murder--A Texas court exonerated a man for shooting and killing a woman because, according to him, she was a prostitute who accepted his money and refused to have sex with him. The court agreed that it was "her fault" that she was dead. The court opined that the man was justified in shooting her because under Texas law people are allowed to "use deadly force to recover property during a night time theft." Of course the woman couldn't refute his explanation of what happened because She was Dead.
1. Male Murder-- A Florida court exonerated a man who was armed while racially profiling and stalking a young unarmed black boy. He shot and killed him because, according to him, the young black boy attacked him and he feared for his life. According to the court, this innocent kid, not his armed assailant, was responsible for his death. Of course, the young black boy could not refute his assailant's explanation of what happened because He was Dead. The unarmed black youth was deemed a thug while the white armed stalking murder was applauded and supported monetarily by white Americans who blamed the unarmed black youth for his death.
Some of the other similarities in the blame the victim defense in murder and rape are equally similar.
2. Murder--"There have been a lot of break-in around here and he was walking through the neighborhood like he was looking for an easy target."
2. Rape--"She was walking alone in this dark neighborhood like she wanted to pick someone up. I thought she was just some prostitute looking for some action."
3. Murder--"Pictures on his Facebook page reveal he was a thug and a gang member who used drugs".
3. Rape--"She has a reputation. Everyone knows she is a teaser, is promiscuous, and is a popular slut."
4. Murder--"He turned around and confronted me. He cursed me, called me a racist name, and threatened me. I was in fear for my life."
4. Rape-- "She teased me and led me on. She got me all worked up and then said no, like I was nothing."
5. Murder--"He was walking through my neighborhood like he was looking for trouble. If he hadn't been walking through here nothing would have happened."
5. Rape--"She came up to my apartment acting all sexy, like she was asking for it. If she didn't want to have sex, she shouldn't have gone up to my apartment."
6. Murder--"I was following him to make sure he didn't commit any crime in my neighborhood and he jumped me. He was getting the best of me, so I took my gun and killed him. But it was in self defense."
6. Rape--"I didn't rape her. It was consensual sex. She said she liked rough sex and I tried to give her what she said she wanted."
7. Murder. "He was wearing a hoodie and looked like a thug out for no good."
7. Rape. "She was dressed like a hooker and showing stuff she shouldn't have.She acted like a prostitute looking to make a score".
Of course any person who feels an entitlement because they believe they are morally, racially, ethically, and social superior to victims of crime may also feel immune to these arguments. And, for the most par, they are immune--until it happens to them or someone they love.
Selah.