Juries are a fundamental part of the legal system, tasked with delivering impartial verdicts based solely on the evidence. However, psychological research suggests that juror decision-making can be heavily influenced by extra-legal factors, including characteristics of the defendant. Two separate trials are underway at a Crown Court in northern England. The first trial involves a 24-year-old attractive female social media influencer who runs a successful lifestyle and fashion blog. The second trial involves a 55-year-old disheveled, unemployed male with a severe stutter and a history of substance abuse recovery. Both individuals are charged with stealing £50,000 from a local community youth center's development funds.
Assess how the characteristics of these two defendants may affect the judgements of the juries in their respective trials. You must make reference to the context in your answer.
120 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Biological explanations of crime, Social explanations of crime, Cognitive and ethical interview techniques, Psychological formulation of offending, Cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders, Biological treatment for offenders, Factors influencing eye-witness testimony, Factors influencing jury decision-making, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.