What aspect of death penalty application was scrutinized in the ruling of Furman v. Georgia?

The ruling in Furman v. Georgia focused on the consistency of sentencing in death penalty cases. The Supreme Court found that the application of the death penalty was often arbitrary and inconsistent, leading to discrimination against certain groups rather than being applied uniformly across similar cases. This inconsistency raised significant constitutional concerns about the violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The decision emphasized that if the death penalty is to be imposed, it must be done in a fair and consistent manner, ensuring that similar crimes receive similar punishments. This scrutiny ultimately led to a de facto moratorium on the death penalty in the United States following the ruling, highlighting the critical importance of equitable legal standards in capital sentencing.