Press Release: Kohberger’s Defense Moves to Challenge Death Penalty
CNN – The defense team for Bryan Kohberger, the alleged perpetrator of the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, is actively seeking to eliminate the possibility of the death penalty in his case. Kohberger faces charges of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary related to the tragic deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin on November 13.
In a series of 13 motions submitted on Thursday, Kohberger’s attorneys argue that the state’s pursuit of capital punishment is unconstitutional. They assert that Idaho’s process for obtaining death sentences is flawed, claiming that the state’s guarantee of a speedy trial undermines the effective assistance of counsel in death penalty cases. The defense contends that adequate preparation for capital cases cannot be achieved within the 10-month timeline leading up to Kohberger’s trial, set for June 2025.
One notable motion addresses what the defense describes as an “ideological shift” in American attitudes towards the death penalty, highlighting that five states have abolished it in recent years. They argue that this shift indicates the punishment is now at odds with contemporary standards of decency. Additionally, the defense claims that Idaho’s death penalty statute violates international human rights standards and that methods of execution, such as lethal injection and firing squad, amount to cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. Constitution.
A recent law signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little allows for executions by firing squad if the necessary lethal injection drugs are unavailable. The court has ordered the state to respond to the defense’s motions by October 10, with a hearing scheduled for November 7. The prosecution has previously indicated they will pursue the death penalty, citing a lack of mitigating circumstances.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
