Coker v. Georgia

Ehrlich Coker (defendant) escaped from a Georgia prison where he was serving time for murder, rape, kidnapping, and aggravated assault, broke into the Carvers' home, tied up Mr. Carver, raped Mrs. Carver, and drove off with her in the Carvers' car. Georgia law allowed the death penalty for rape if aggravating circumstances existed, and the jury found two such circumstances — Coker's prior capital-felony convictions and the rape occurring during an armed robbery — and sentenced him to death. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed, and the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Whether the death penalty may be constitutionally imposed for the crime of rape.