Furman V. Georgia Case Study

The Furman v. Georgia decision of the Supreme Court was the first time in history where a higher court had ruled against capital punishment. However, the Supreme Court later suggested new legislation that overturned the ruling that capital punishment was cruel and unusual (Bohm, 1997). Opponents for the death penalty were elated. Executions such as drownings, crucifixions and burning at the stake were carried out for things such as marrying those of Jewish accent, non-confession by criminals and treason (Bohm & Schabas, 199). According to Randa (1997), during the nineteenth century the number if capital crimes were reduced due to many states building penitentiaries to house offenders. The state of Pennsylvania was the first U.S. state to perform