The Erlich Coker's Murder Case

At the time, Erlich Coker was already serving time for multiple sentences including aggravated assault, kidnapping, rape, and murder, because he had raped and stabbed a young woman to death just a few years earlier on December 5, 1971. However, Coker escaped from the Ware Correctional Institution in Georgia in September of 1974. Coker proceeded to break into Georgia couple Allen and Elnita Carver’s home.

The couple was threatened, and Mr. Carver was tied up, leaving Coker to steal money and the couple’s car.. Coker then forced Mrs. Carver into the car with a knife and raped her. Afterwards, Mr. Carver managed to escape and called the police. Mrs. Carver was still alive and not harmed after being kidnapped and raped by Coker. Coker was then

The Superior Court decided that Coker should be sentenced to death. Coker then appealed to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which also affirmed and sentenced Coker to the death penalty on the rape charge.

The Supreme Court of Georgia upheld the death sentence because the rape was committed during an armed robbery (a capital felony), and by someone with previous sententences. Coker appealed again, and the case headed to the US Supreme Court.

In a 7-2 conclusion, the Supreme Court ruled that recieving a death sentence for raping a woman was a “grossly disproportionate” punishment and that the death sentence enforced should be reversed and overturned.

Because the rape did not involve murder, the Court decided that the death penalty was disproportionate and unreasonable punishment, therefore being considered unconstitutional (cruel and unusual

This is mainly because during this whole incident, Coker had just escaped from prison while serving multiple sentences and capital offenses, including murder, which, according to the Supreme Court, validates a death sentence. Furthermore, the state of Georgia’s laws mentions that rape can be punishable by death if it also occurred with or during a capital felony. Both instances were present because of Coker’s previous capital convictions, and the fact that the rape happened during an armed robbery since Coker stole the Carver’s car and threatened them with a knife. One could argue that what was really “grossly disproportionate” was the Justices’ decision and lack of common sense in this particular case. As stated by Justice Rehnquist, rape is not a minor or unimportant crime that can be overlooked, as it leaves vicitms with serious trauma and difficulties. In fact, rape should’ve been considered a capital crime in this instance. I believe that the supreme Court was completely wrong in their decision to overturn Coker’s death sentence. Because of this, I would have agreed with the lower court's’ decision, and ruled that Coker should have been sentenced to