Harsher Sentences for Similar Crimes?

Question

I'm interested to know why Jeffrey Dahmer was simply sentenced to life in prison, but Ted Bundy was sentenced to death. I've noticed this in other cases. Sometimes, at least to me, the crimes seem relatively the same and yet one might get death and the other only life. What decides such sentences?

Answer 1

For the particular cases you cited, Jeffrey Dahmer was convicted in Minnesota which does NOT have the death penalty while Ted Bundy was convicted in Florida which does. That is ONE explanation for the discrepancy. More generally, in first degree murder cases that go to trial, a jury decides on sentence. In some jurisdictions the jury's decision is a recommendation that the judge can accept or overrrule. In other jurisdictions the judge is bound to impose what the jury decides. This is another explanation for discrepancies.
Finally, in capital cases, again, juries when deciding on sentence between life and death, are required to consider various circumstances which include aggravating circumstances (which tend to argue for death) and mitigating circumstances (which tend to argue for life). In some jurisdictions, jurors are required to consider the "future dangerousness" of the defendant when deciding between the two. All of these circumstances may vary greatly across cases where the actual crime was first degree murder. These circumstances account for a significant portion of the variability in sentences.

Answer 2

Sentences depend on the charges filed, the laws in effect (including deatha penalty or no) and sentencing guidelines. Judges have a certain lattitude with sentencing. Juries can give recommendations for certain penalties in the sentencing phase of a trial, but it all rests with the judge on if he/she agrees with the recommendation or wishes to impose a different sentence. There's wiggle room which translates into different sentences for similar crimes even if they're committed in the same jurisdiction and seen by the same judge.

Answer 3

The Jury

Answer 4

you got it backwards. the state of Florida put ted bundy to death but jeff dahmer faced the wrath of god and was put to death by the hand of Jesus Christ himself... LOOK IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

I think that they were tried in different states. State to state laws differ in murder cases.