Capital Punishment on Trial: Furman v. Georgia and the Death Penalty in Modern America (Landmark Law Cases and American Society)

Discover the gripping true story behind the landmark Supreme Court case in David Oshinsky's captivating new book, "Capital Punishment on Trial: Furman v. Georgia and the Death Penalty in Modern America." Delve into the controversial and much-debated topic of capital punishment as Oshinsky takes a closer look at the Supreme Court's rulings on this issue. With his renowned expertise as a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, Oshinsky brings the case of William Furman to life, shedding light on the racial tensions and legal complexities that surrounded it.

Uncover the fascinating details of the trial that ignited a nationwide debate. As a career criminal, Furman's crime shook the racially troubled South in 1967. In a swift trial that lasted only one day, he was sentenced to death by a nearly all-white jury. However, Oshinsky reveals how Furman's African-American attorney, Bobby Mayfield, fought relentlessly to have the verdict overturned. Through the tireless appeals process, Mayfield took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Be captivated by the dramatic turn of events that unfolded in 1972 when the Supreme Court, in a narrow 5-4 vote, ruled in favor of Furman. The landmark decision declared Georgia's capital punishment statute, and by implication all other state death-penalty laws, to be arbitrary and capricious, violating the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishment." With this ruling, Furman effectively halted capital punishment in the United States, leading to the resentencing of every death row inmate to life in prison.

Witness the shocking aftermath of the ruling as Oshinsky reveals how the states adapted to the Supreme Court's decision. Explore how an avalanche of new state legislation endorsing the death penalty emerged, eventually leading to its resurgence. Oshinsky explores the troubling intersection of race, class, and region in capital punishment, revealing the complex factors that shape the application of the death penalty in modern America.

Stay up to date with the most recent Supreme Court cases on the death penalty, including those involving minors and the mentally ill. Oshinsky examines the impact of international opinion on capital punishment and provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving legal landscape surrounding this contentious issue. With his gift for empathy and talent for clarifying complex legal matters, Oshinsky delivers a compact and engaging study that will leave you questioning the very foundations of our justice system.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the history and implications of capital punishment in "Capital Punishment on Trial." Be part of the ongoing conversation and order your copy today!

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