Idaho murders: State seeks the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger

Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert
Updated ·2 min read
27
Idaho murders: State seeks the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger

  • Idaho state officials are seeking the death penalty against 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger.

  • Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

  • The crimes, prosecutors argue, were "especially heinous" and showed "utter disregard for human life."

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students last November.

In a court filing announcing the decision to seek capital punishment for the 28-year-old, officials argued the crimes were "especially heinous" and showed "utter disregard for human life."

"The defendant, by his conduct, whether that conduct was before, during or after the commission of the murder at hand, has exhibited a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society," the filing reads.

In investigating the quadruple murder, officials earlier this month issued search warrants to probe Kohberger's social media accounts, hoping to find more information on his relationship to the slain college students — Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Madison Mogen — or his possible motivations for the crimes of which he is accused.

Kohberger was indicted in May of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in relation to the killings. A judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf after Kohberger remained silent during his arraignment.

Representatives for the Latah County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on the choice to pursue the death penalty in this case, referring Insider to the filing announcing the decision.

Since 1864, the state of Idaho has carried out 29 executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. On July 1, death by firing squad will be authorized as a method of execution in the state after a proposed bill was signed in March by Governor Brad Little.

In Idaho, when the death penalty is on the table in a criminal case, jurors must unanimously convict the accused and agree to the death penalty. In a case of a hung jury, even if a single juror opposes death, a life sentence is issued. 

The public defender for Kohberger did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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