The Wedding Cake Model: Homicide's Layer Explained

The Wedding Cake Model of Criminal Justice, first proposed by Samuel Walker in 1985, is a model that classifies crimes based on their nature and severity. The model consists of four layers, with the bottom layer representing the least severe and most common offences, and the top layer representing a small number of widely-known celebrated cases. The two layers in between represent violent and non-violent felonies. The model draws a distinction between high-profile celebrated cases and other types of cases, showing how less-sensational crimes make up the majority of criminal proceedings. While the model does not address all aspects of the criminal justice system, it provides a useful framework for understanding how different types of cases are treated and perceived by the media and the public.

High-profile cases

The wedding cake model of criminal justice, developed by Samuel Walker, is a framework that divides crimes into four tiers of severity, with the top tier representing the most severe and violent offences. This top tier, or "celebrated cases", includes high-profile homicides that have garnered significant media attention and involved celebrities or other notable individuals. Here are some examples of high-profile cases that would fall into this category:

O.J. Simpson

The O.J. Simpson trial is a classic example of a celebrated case in the wedding cake model. Simpson, a famous football player and actor, was accused and acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. The case received extensive media coverage and sparked public debate due to its celebrity involvement and the shocking nature of the crimes.

Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy was a notorious serial killer who confessed to murdering at least 30 young women across multiple states in the 1970s. His case attracted widespread media attention, and he became the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. Bundy's crimes, trial, and eventual execution in 1989 captivated the public and continue to be a source of fascination.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby, once known as "America's Dad", faced numerous allegations of sexual assault, battery, and child sexual abuse. The case gained significant media coverage due to Cosby's celebrity status and the serious nature of the crimes. In 2018, he was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison for the drugging and sexual assault of Andrea Constand.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, faced allegations of child sexual abuse and was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in an attempt to commit a felony. The case garnered worldwide media attention due to Jackson's celebrity status. Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, was a serial killer and sex offender who murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. His case attracted extensive media coverage due to the gruesome nature of his crimes, which included cannibalism and necrophilia. Dahmer was sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms but was beaten to death by a fellow inmate in 1994.

These cases represent just a few examples of the type of high-profile homicides that would fall into the top tier of the wedding cake model. These cases are characterised not only by the severity of the crimes but also by the intense media scrutiny and public fascination that surrounds them.

Serious felonies

The second tier of the Wedding Cake Model of Criminal Justice, created by Samuel Walker, is reserved for serious felonies. These are typically violent crimes, such as rape and aggravated assault/battery, and can include significant white-collar crimes and large-scale drug offences. Cases in this tier are treated as standard operating procedure by the criminal justice system. Defendants are unlikely to be released on bail and are less likely to enter into a plea agreement before trial. If found guilty, they will receive prison time.

The Wedding Cake Model reflects how limited resources and public attention shape case prioritisation and how cases are treated differently by the media and society.

Lesser felonies

The Wedding Cake Model of Criminal Justice, developed by Samuel Walker, is a model that classifies crimes based on their nature and severity. The model consists of four layers, with the bottom layer representing the least severe and most common offences, and the top layer representing a small number of widely-known "celebrated cases".

The third layer of the model corresponds to lesser felonies, which are less severe and often remain less visible to the general public. These cases tend to be non-violent and include drug-related charges and financial crimes. A good portion of these cases end in plea agreements, although this can vary depending on the specifics of the case.

Examples of lesser felonies include:

• First-time DUI offences
• Lower-level drug possession
• Certain financial crimes

While these types of crimes may not receive the same level of media attention as more serious offences, they still consume a significant amount of the court's time and resources. For instance, in Oregon, Class C felonies, which are the least serious category, can result in up to five years of imprisonment.

The Wedding Cake Model is significant because it highlights the differences in the treatment and perception of various types of crimes within the justice system and by the media and the public. It also shows how less sensational and non-violent crimes make up the majority of criminal proceedings, even though they may not receive the same level of attention as more high-profile cases.

Misdemeanours

The wedding cake model, created by Samuel Walker, is a metaphor for different levels of crime and their severity. The bottom layer of the model represents misdemeanours, which are the least severe and most common offences. These cases are handled by the lowest criminal courts and might involve alternative sentences such as community service.

The model reflects how limited resources and public attention shape case prioritisation. It also highlights the role of the media in shaping public perception of crime and safety. While the model provides a useful framework, it may oversimplify criminal justice processes and reinforce perceptions of criminality associated with certain groups.

How media affects criminal justice policy

The media has a significant influence on public perception and criminal justice policy. The news we consume shapes our ideas about which crimes are the most offensive, what motivates criminals, and how they should be managed. Media coverage of crime tends to focus disproportionately on violent, shocking, or high-profile cases, which do not accurately reflect the majority of criminal cases that are misdemeanors or non-violent offences. This coverage can skew the public's understanding of crime prevalence and risk, and stoke fear and anxiety, which can lead to calls for harsher punishments and more aggressive law enforcement responses.

Media portrayals of criminals and victims can also reinforce stereotypes and biases, shaping attitudes towards particular groups or communities. For example, a Stanford Law School study found that Black suspects were overrepresented in crime-related posts on social media compared to their proportion of arrests in the US. This interplay between social media and traditional news outlets creates a self-reinforcing negative cycle, with local cable networks and major news outlets financially incentivised to overrepresent crime.

The media can also have a positive impact on criminal justice policy. Sympathetic depictions of defendants or victims may generate support for criminal justice reforms, and campaigns can raise awareness about crime prevention strategies, promote community engagement, and encourage the reporting of suspicious activities.

The wedding cake model of criminal justice, developed by Samuel Walker in the 1980s, is a widely-used framework for understanding how media coverage and public perception are shaped by the type of crime and its severity. The model consists of four layers, with the bottom layer representing the most common offences, such as misdemeanors and traffic violations, and the top layer representing high-profile, "celebrated cases" that receive a great deal of media attention. The middle two layers represent less serious and more serious felonies, respectively.

The wedding cake model illustrates how media coverage of criminal cases can indirectly lead to changes in criminal justice policy by impacting public opinions and perceptions, which in turn influences how people vote. For example, media scrutiny and public demand may pressure law enforcement to respond to high-profile cases with swift arrests and aggressive tactics, and prosecutors may seek maximum penalties to satisfy public expectations.

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