Fear of crime and attitudes toward capital punishment: A structural equations model

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Abstract
This paper examines support for capital punishment in Kentucky. It is assumed that most citizens favor the use of the death penalty. Our findings confirm the conclusion, drawn from several previous studies, that attitudes toward capital punishment are complex and multidimensional. In particular, nonwhites, women, and respondents from low-income households are more likely to express less direct support for capital punishment. The fear of crime in the neighborhood results in a greater willingness to endorse capital punishment. It also plays a crucial role in mediating the influence of race, age, education, and the experience of violent crime victimization.