Among the recent studies covered are a comparison of statistics on all criminal homicides and death sentences imposed in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Ohio conducted by the Center for Applied Social Research at Northeastern University and an investigation into Georgia's capital sentencing system carried out in the early 1980s. The findings from these studies and others consistently show that homicides with white victims are far more likely to result in death sentences than those with black victims. Black defendants with white victims were found to be more likely to receive death sentences than white defendants in similar circumstances. Problems in providing statistical proof of discrimination are discussed, with attention to discretionary decisions taken early in the judicial process. Footnotes.