As detailed in their report,Death Penalty Sentencing: Research Indicates Pattern of Racial Disparities, the General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted a study of 28 other studies after the Gregg decision by SCOTUS to analyze how the race of a victim versus the race of the defendant correlates with sentencing outcomes. What conclusion can be reached based on the findings from this study (p. 6-7)?

The heinousness of the crime was a greater factor in death penalty sentences than the race of the victim or defendant.

The race of the victim, not just the race of the defendant, is an important consideration in every decision in a criminal case.

There were no significant statistical differences except for a slight elevation of sentence in cases where the victim was white.

The race of the victim did not have much influence on the charge or the sentence of the defendant following conviction.