- Idaho state officials are seeking the death penalty against 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.
- The prosecutors argue that the crimes committed by Kohberger were “especially heinous” and demonstrated a complete disregard for human life.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the alleged perpetrator of the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in November.
In a court filing that announced the decision to pursue capital punishment for the 28-year-old, officials argued that the crimes committed were “especially heinous” and demonstrated a complete disregard for human life.
The filing states, “The defendant, through his actions, whether before, during, or after the commission of the murder at hand, has shown a tendency to commit murder that will likely pose an ongoing threat to society.”
During the investigation of the quadruple murder, authorities recently obtained search warrants to examine Kohberger’s social media accounts in hopes of gathering more information about his relationship with the deceased college students—Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Madison Mogen—or his potential motives for the crimes with which he is charged.
Kohberger was indicted in May on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection with the killings. During his arraignment, Kohberger remained silent, and a judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Representatives from the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on the decision to pursue the death penalty in this case, instead referring to the court filing that announced the decision.
Since 1864, Idaho has carried out 29 executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Starting on July 1, the state will authorize death by firing squad as a method of execution, following the signing of a bill by Governor Brad Little in March.
In Idaho, when the death penalty is a possibility in a criminal case, jurors must reach a unanimous verdict of guilt and agree to impose the death penalty. In the event of a hung jury, with a single juror opposing the death penalty, a life sentence is handed down.
The public defender for Kohberger has not yet responded to Insider’s request for comment.
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