RACIAL PREJUDICE IN THE CANADIAN LEGAL-SYSTEM - JUROR DECISIONS IN A SIMULATED RAPE TRIAL

The effects of defendant and victim race and the impact of judicial in structions on defendant verdict were examined using a simulated videot aped rape trial. Subjects were 243 Canadian university students random ly assigned to one of eight conditions. Subjects were asked to assume the role of juror and to view a videotape of a simulated rape trial. T he results indicated that the defendant's overall attractiveness or '' positive appeal'' was the best predictor of defendant guilt, above and beyond defendant race. Neither victim characteristics nor the presenc e of judicial instructions was found to have predictive utility. Resul ts are contrasted with findings from simulation studies in the United States.