History and Verdict
William Henry Furman was robbing the house of William Joseph Micke Jr. on August 11, 1967.
Micke Jr. heard some noises in the kitchen and went down to investigate.
Furman started running and tripped.
Furman's gun went off accidently shot Micke Jr. in the chest and Micke Jr. was killed immediatly.
Furman went to court and got an appointed lawyer. They rejected his insanity plea and decided after only one day he was guilty of murder. Even though he shot Micke unitentionally he was still sentenced to death. Furman appealed his sentence and the case was taken to the supreme court.
The case took place on January 17, 1971 and the decision was made on June 29, 1972.The supreme court justices were ruling on whether the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and violates the eighth and fourteenth amendment.
The supreme court ruled yes. Furman won the case five to four. Justices Marshall and Brennan thought that the death penalty was unconsitutional in all cases. Marshall said, "it is excessive, unnecessary, and offensive toward contemporary values."
State of Georgia
