Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972)

In Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972) the United States Supreme Court imposed a four year moratorium on the death penalty.  The court determined that the arbitrary nature in which the death penalty had been imposed often showed racial bias and violated the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution.  During the course of the moratorium states enacted laws aimed at overcoming concerns of arbitrary impositions.