Effects of considering who and why the defendant attacked

Some people who are accused of a crime admit to the act, but provide an exc use. The effects of an excuse's self-inflictedness level(high, moderate, or low) and the type of victim attacked tone partially responsible for the de fendant's excusing condition, or innocent victim) were investigated. After a pretest (N = 26) to choose stimuli, participants (N = 220) read a scenari o in which a male attacks another and then, once on trial, gives an excuse for his act. Those giving highly vs, less self-inflicted excuses were more likely to receive a guilty verdict, received higher guilt level ratings, an d tended to receive longer sentences; those who hurt an innocent vs, a part ially responsible victim were more likely to be found guilty. In addition, the defendant's sentence was influenced by both the type of victim and the self-inflictedness level of the excuse. The influence of perceived responsi bility for an act on jurors' decisions is discussed.