Latah County Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Bryan Kohberger in the Murder of Four University of Idaho Students

Latah County prosecutors announced on Monday that they will pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, 28, who is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November.

The victims, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves, were all between the ages of 20 and 21. According to court documents, the prosecuting attorney for Latah County pointed to the “aggravating circumstances” in the Nov. 13 killings, describing them as “especially heinous” and saying Kohberger allegedly exhibited “utter disregard for human life.”

The State has not identified or been provided with any mitigating circumstances sufficient to prohibit the triers of fact from considering all penalties authorized by the Idaho legislature, including the death penalty.

Kohberger has entered not guilty pleas on all charges. He is currently being held in the Latah County Jail without bond. The trial is expected to begin later this year.

The death penalty is a controversial issue in the United States, and this case will likely draw attention from both sides of the debate. The families of the victims have yet to comment on the decision to pursue the death penalty.