THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONPrior to his trial, Furman took a psychological examination at Georgia Central State Hospital. His results were troubling, as the hospital diagnosed him as being mentally deficient and psychotic. Furman’s results indicated he was in the lowest 4% of his age’s intelligence range and subject to epileptic-like episodes.(3) Nevertheless, his insanity plea did not withstand trial.
THE TRIALFurman’s trial began on September 20, 1968. His counsel consisted of a singular court-appointed lawyer, B. Clarence Mayfield. From the beginning of the trial, it was apparent Furman stood little to no chance of fair verdict. It was what many considered a poor man’s trial, with a small fee of only $150. Not to mention he was an African American whose fate would be decided by an all-white jury in the South. During the trial, Furman himself took the stand and ultimately sealed his fate on death row. The jury rejected his plea and found him guilty after only one day. At the time, a single trial determined a defendant’s guilt and sentence. (4) Therefore, Furman found himself faced with an impending execution.
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THE NIGHT IN QUESTIONIt was August 11, 1967, in Savannah, Georgia, when William Henry Furman committed the home invasion of William Micki Jr. That night, Furman went to one of the poorest residences in the neighborhood looking “to pick up a radio or two.”(1) He learned from the example of his mother, who was incarcerated for her fourth burglary at the time. On the night in question, he drunkenly stumbled around the kitchen, making such a ruckus that he woke Micki. Micki, in response, rushed to the kitchen to investigate the source of the sound. Furman was startled, and almost instinctually fled the house, shooting Micki in the process. It remains contested as to whether he blindly fired his gun while fleeing or accidentally fired it after tripping on his way out. After fleeing the scene, he was subsequently arrested and charged that very night. Since Furman was attempting to burglarize the Micki residence the night he shot him, his actions constitute felony murder. Under then-existing state law, felony murder was a capital offense punishable by death. (2)
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