A judge in Boise, Idaho ruled that the death penalty will remain an option for a man charged with the murder of four University of Idaho students. The defendant, Bryan Kohberger, is accused of the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves on November 13, 2022.
Despite arguments from Kohberger's defense team to remove the death penalty as a potential punishment, Judge Steven Hippler upheld its possibility if the defendant is convicted. The defense team had contended that the death penalty is not in line with modern standards of decency, citing concerns about prolonged stays on death row and potential violations of international treaties.
