Assignment: History, Perception, and Treatment of Victims/Student Replies
HISTORY, PERCEPTION, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS
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WEEK 2 ASSIGNMENT
CRYSTAL DILLANES-GUZMAN
CRJS-4203 VICTIMOLOGY
PROFESSOR TONY SMITH
8 MARCH 2020
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HISTORY, PERCEPTION, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS
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In the 1940’s the field of victimology originated. This was when criminologists began to
examine the relationship between victims and their perpetrators. According to Karmen (2020),
“victimologist also carry out research into the public’s political, social and economic reactions to
the suffering of victims.” After President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the creation of the
President's Commision of Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, the National Crime
Victimization Survey was established to study victims. Since then, numerous acts have been
passed to support the rights of victims all over the world.
The criminal case that I chose for this assignment is about Payne V. Tennessee. On June 27th,
1987, Pervis Payne killed Charisse Christopher and her two-year-old daughter Lacie and left her
son Nicholas alive but injured. When neighbors heard yelling, they called the police (Wikipedia,
n.d.). Upon arriving, they found Payne exiting the building covered in blood. In total there was
forty-two stab wounds between Charisse’s body, her daughter and son. Payne was charged with
two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
This case has influenced legislation and affected the evolution of victimology in a very positive
way. Victims that are deceased can now have a voice besides the evidence, they can have victim
impact statements by family. During the trail the victim’s family was allowed to share how
Charisse’s death had an impact on them, especially her son that survived. According to Oyez
(n.d.) not only did the mother make a statement but “the prosecutor referenced Nicholas’ loss of
his mother when calling for the death penalty.” When Payne was convicted, he argued that they
shouldn't have allowed her family to make impact statements, even though he had friends and
family speak at the trial on his behalf. He stated that it violated his Eighth Amendment rights and
emotionally influenced the jury against him.
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HISTORY, PERCEPTION, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS
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This brought up the question, “Does the Eight Amendment prohibit a capital sentencing jury
from considering the impact that a victim’ death upon surviving family members” (Oyez, n.d.).
His claim as rejected and his sentence and conviction were still in place. It was a 6-3 decision by
the Supreme Court. It was ruled that “the prosecution must be allowed to submit similar counter
evidence and that victim impact evidence is simply another method of informing the sentence
authority about such harm” (Oyez, n.d.).
I believe this decision highlighted the victim perspective in a new way that was not considered
before. With this decision victims now had a new way to speak, through family and friends.
Having evidence is important to convict but for the jury to hear an impact statement from family
shows the pain that the suspect has caused, pain that may never go away. This positive change
now shows support for victims and their family. Other changes that supports victims are
counseling for the families and victims that survive, support groups, and advocacy with the
criminal justice system. One need that victims need support in the criminal justice system is
knowledge of victim rights. I would recommend that each precinct have a least five to ten
individuals on staff that focuses only on victim rights and needs from the first day to whenever
the victim is ready to move on. These individuals are there to shoe support from the time the 911
call is made, not to ask questions for the police but to offer emotionally support. After the initial
interview, the individual can then go step by step with the victim, to the hospital, to court,
whatever they need. This will let the victims know they have someone in their corner to listen
and recommend the next steps, to learn how to cope and heal. Victims, including me when I was
assaulted, don’t always feel that they are important and the only thing important is a conviction.
We must know that someone has our back, that no matter what, we are heard and taken seriously.
It is a shame that police departments don’t bring in help to the victim until everything is over, I
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HISTORY, PERCEPTION, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS
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didn’t have anyone by my side until all the questions was over, the exam was over. This is one
thing that must change, victims matter just as much as the conviction and until that is realized,
victims will never truly feel safe.
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HISTORY, PERCEPTION, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS
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References
Karmen, A. (2020). Crime victims: An introduction to victimology (10th ed.). Boston, MA:
Cengage Learning.
Oyez (n.d.) "Payne v. Tennessee."
Retrieved From www.oyez.org/cases/1990/90-5721.
Wikipedia (n.d.) Payne v. Tennessee.
Retrieved From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payne_v._Tennessee
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