Bryan Kohberger, the man accused killing four University of Idaho students in 2022could face the death penalty, a judge has ruled.
Kohberger’s defense team had sought to eliminate the death penalty as a possible punishment if he were convicted, but Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied their requests in his Tuesday ruling. The prosecutor has said it plans to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
Kohberger’s attorneys’ arguments include claims that forcing prisoners to wait years on death row and the methods available for executing prisoners in Idaho both constitute cruel and unusual punishment. They also argued that Idaho’s death penalty laws violate an international treaty banning the torture of prisoners.
Koberger is accused in the November 13, 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. All four were students at the University of Idaho and were murdered in an off-campus home. Koberger was arrested on December 30, 2022 in Pennsylvania and was extradited back to Idaho in January 2023. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
Kohberger did not respond when asked in court last year to enter a plea, so a not guilty plea was entered for him by the judge. Kohberger was booked into the Boise jail in September, where his was trial was moved at the request of the defense.
His trial will begin in August 2025.
Goncalves’ family said in a statement that they were “overjoyed” with the decision and criticized the judge who heard the case prior to the move to Boise for “failing to correctly pronounce the names of the victims in the courtroom.” laughed or entertained everyone’. absurd motion or argument that the defense could make.”
“We finally have a judge who appears prepared, attentive and knowledgeable about the legal process,” they said. “There is a renewed level of seriousness that has been absent for far too long. Justice is moving forward and we pray that one day, in the not so distant future, it will be served.”
