When first looking at the raw data without controlling for case characteristics, RAND found that large race effects with the decision to seek the death penalty are more likely to occur when the defendants are white and when the victims are white. However, these disparities disappeared in each of the three studies when the heinousness of the crimes was taken into account. The RAND study concludes that the findings support the view that decisions to seek the death penalty are driven by characteristics of crimes rather than by race. RAND's findings are very compelling because three independent research teams, using the same data but different methodologies, reached the same conclusions.

1 Is this passage an argument?
2 what are the premises and the conclusion of this argument?

1. Yes, this passage is presenting an argument.

2. The premises of this argument are:
- When looking at the raw data without controlling for case characteristics, large race effects with the decision to seek the death penalty are more likely to occur when the defendants and victims are white.
- The disparities in race effects disappear when the heinousness of the crimes is taken into account.
- Three independent research teams, using the same data but different methodologies, reached the same conclusions.
The conclusion of this argument is that the findings support the view that decisions to seek the death penalty are driven by characteristics of crimes rather than by race.