Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the man accused of the quadruple murder of four Idaho college students, according to court documents filed Monday.
In the filing, the Latah County prosecutor noted the «aggravating circumstances» in the November 13 murders, describing them as «particularly egregious» and saying that suspect Bryan Kohberger, 28, allegedly exhibited «total disregard for life.» human».
«Accordingly, considering all of the evidence currently known to the State, the State is required to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty,» the filing reads.
Kohberger was arrested December 30 for the murders of Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Ariz.; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.
After he was indicted by a grand jury in May, he was indicted on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery.
Kohberger, who was pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice at a nearby university at the time of his arrest, has pleaded not guilty.
The four students were found dead at their off-campus home in Moscow, nearly 300 miles north of Boise.
Authorities linked Kohberger to the crime scene through cell phone signals, security camera video, a witness and a brown leather knife sheathaccording to a probable cause affidavit filed in January.
In a June 22 filing, Kohberger’s attorney said there was «no connection» between his client and the four students he accuses of fatally stabbing.
alex lo and david k li contributed.