Gregg vs. Georgia (1976)
Details: Gregg was found guilty of armed robbery and murder and was given the death sentence. Gregg believed that his death sentence was violating the 8th and 14th amendment because it was cruel and unusual punishment.
Decision/Justification: 7 votes for Georgia, 2 votes against. Georgia uses capital punishment as a way to prevent future crimes and the court did not want to overrule that.
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): Set a standard for when capital punishment was reasonable or not. Also this case says that the death penalty is constitutional.
Important/relevant details: "The death penalty is cruel and unusual in the same way that being struck by lightning is cruel and unusual." –Justice Potter Stewart
Decision/Justification: 7 votes for Georgia, 2 votes against. Georgia uses capital punishment as a way to prevent future crimes and the court did not want to overrule that.
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): Set a standard for when capital punishment was reasonable or not. Also this case says that the death penalty is constitutional.
Important/relevant details: "The death penalty is cruel and unusual in the same way that being struck by lightning is cruel and unusual." –Justice Potter Stewart