BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Idaho prosecutors to seek death penalty for Bryan Kohberger

  • Bryan Kohberger is charged with the murder of four Idaho college students
  • Prosecutors said Monday they intend to seek the death penalty
  • The defense team is seeking information about DNA profiles

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NewsNation) — Prosecutors in Moscow, Idaho, intend to seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students last November.

The state, in the court notice filed Monday, said it found several aggravating factors in the stabbing deaths, which Idaho law requires exist to pursue the death penalty.

Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four students were found stabbed to death Nov. 13 inside their off-campus rental home.

Police allege cellphone tower data shows Kohberger was in the vicinity of the home multiple times in the days and weeks leading up to the stabbings.

Prosecutors have also said in court filings DNA on a knife sheath left at the scene matches Kohberger’s. His defense attorneys are seeking all DNA profiles that were collected during the investigation.

Last month, Kohberger didn’t verbalize a plea in court, leading a judge to enter not-guilty pleas on charges of murder and burglary in connection with the November stabbings. Kohberger’s lawyers want to evaluate whether the grand jury that indicted him was biased.

If Kohberger is found guilty at trial, he could die by firing squad. Idaho lawmakers approved the execution method earlier this year.

Before prosecutors made their decision, they met with families of the victims to discuss their wishes on the matter, a source close to the investigation told NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield.

If Kohberger is guilty, Kernodle’s mother, Cara Northington, has indicated she would like to see Kohberger in prison for life, rather than face the death penalty. Kernodle’s father, Jeff, said he’s in favor of the death penalty. The families of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen are in favor of the death penalty as well. Ethan Chapin’s family have not yet made their stance on the matter public.

NewsNation writer Liz Jassin contributed to this report.

Idaho College Killings

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

76°F Sunny Feels like 76°
Wind
4 mph SW
Humidity
24%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F A few passing clouds. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
1%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous