In the case against Bryan Kohberger, a judge has ruled that prosecutors may pursue the death penalty if he is convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students, despite his attorneys' request to exclude it due to his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Judge Steven Hippler determined that autism does not qualify for exemptions from the death penalty under current laws, aligning with prosecutors' arguments. Kohberger's defense team had argued that the death penalty would be "dehumanizing," but their motions have not swayed the judge, setting the stage for a closely watched trial beginning on August 11.
