Idaho prosecutors are challenging arguments put forth by Bryan Kohberger's defense team regarding the potential imposition of the death penalty in his quadruple murder trial. The defense, led by Anne Taylor and Elisa Massoth, made several requests that prosecutors deemed to be outside established legal precedent.
The defense team argued that the state lacks a viable method for executions and claimed insufficient time to adequately prepare the case against Kohberger. However, prosecutors countered by stating that the defense's arguments are not supported by binding Idaho Supreme Court precedent.
Special Assistant Attorney General Jeff Nye and Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson emphasized that they fulfilled their legal obligations by providing a probable cause affidavit and notifying the defense of their intent to seek the death penalty within the required timeframe.
Furthermore, prosecutors rejected Kohberger's Eighth Amendment claim that seeking the death penalty without consulting a neutral fact finder could constitute cruel or unusual punishment.
In a separate filing, Thompson urged the judge to dismiss the defense's request for expert testimony opposing the death penalty, citing Idaho Supreme Court precedent that deems expert testimony containing legal conclusions as generally inadmissible.
Last month, the defense challenged the death penalty on various grounds, including concerns about contemporary standards of decency and alleged violations of international law. They also criticized Idaho's methods of execution, arguing that both lethal injection and the firing squad violate constitutional amendments.
Kohberger, a student at Washington State University at the time of the murders, faces charges of first-degree murder and felony burglary in connection with the deaths of four undergraduates in a home invasion stabbing. The case has been moved to Ada County for trial following a successful defense motion for a change of venue.
A hearing on the death penalty issue is scheduled for November 7 as the legal proceedings continue in this high-profile case.
