In the case of "McCleskey vs. Kemp," what was determined to be the greatest indicator of receiving the death penalty?

In the "McCleskey vs. Kemp" case, the Supreme Court focused on the role of race in death penalty sentencing. The evidence presented during the trial revealed that the race of the victim significantly influenced whether the death penalty was sought and imposed. Specifically, it was found that defendants accused of killing white victims were more likely to receive the death penalty compared to those accused of killing Black victims. This finding highlighted a systemic racial bias within the criminal justice system, making the race of the victim a critical factor in death penalty cases. The Court ultimately ruled that the statistical evidence of racial disparities did not prove a violation of the Constitution, which has led to ongoing debates about race and justice in the United States.

The other options do touch on relevant aspects of the justice system but did not emerge as the primary factor in this specific ruling. Socioeconomic status and quality of legal representation can impact trial outcomes, while geographical location may influence sentencing trends, but the primary focus in this case was squarely on the race of the victim as the determinant for the imposition of the death penalty.