The man accused of killing four University of Idaho students two years ago may face the death penalty if convicted, according to a ruling by the trial judge.
At a hearing in Boise, Idaho, Bryan Kohberger’s defense team attempted to prevent the case from being classified as a capital murder trial. However, District Court Judge Steven Hippler ruled that Kohberger’s defense failed to provide an alternative, non-painful method of execution, dismissing their claim. Without such an alternative, the death penalty remains on the table.
Idaho’s alternative to the death penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years. Prosecutors argue that four aggravating factors, including multiple victims and the particularly cruel nature of the crime, justify the death penalty. For Kohberger to receive the death penalty, a jury must agree on at least one aggravating factor and unanimously vote for capital punishment.
Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye contested the defense’s argument that the death penalty is unconstitutional, stating that it doesn’t negate the possibility of an execution in the future.
Despite challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs, Idaho recently acquired the necessary supplies to carry out an execution. Although an alternative execution method by firing squad was legalized last year, the chamber for this method is still under construction.
Kohberger’s defense attorney, Anne Taylor, also challenged the prosecution’s claim that Kohberger poses a future danger to society, arguing that this accusation is too vague and doesn’t help juries decide who deserves the death penalty.
The motive behind the 2022 killings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin remains unclear.
Kohberger, a doctoral student at Washington State University, has denied involvement. His defense has requested the suppression of evidence, including DNA, claiming it was improperly obtained.
The trial has been moved from Latah County to Boise to avoid potential bias and accommodate the case’s complexity.
Kaylee Goncalves’ father, Steve Goncalves, expressed support for the trial’s relocation and emphasized his desire for Kohberger to be locked away permanently.
