What was the ruling of Coker vs. GA regarding punishment?

The ruling in Coker v. Georgia established that the death penalty is a disproportionate punishment for the crime of rape, particularly when the victim is an adult. The Supreme Court held that the imposition of the death penalty for such a crime constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, which is prohibited by the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The decision implies that capital punishment should be reserved for the most severe crimes, typically involving murder, rather than for offenses like rape.

This ruling reflects a broader interpretation of what constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment," indicating that the severity of the punishment should correspond to the gravity of the crime committed. In this context, it was determined that the death penalty does not fit the crime of rape, thereby solidifying the understanding that not all crimes warrant the most extreme form of punishment available in the criminal justice system.