How Africa News
Bryan Kohberger, the accused Idaho murderer, might face the firing squad if he is proven guilty of the murders of four college students in 2022.
Attorneys are preparing for a death sentence trial for the 28-year-old criminal justice major, who remains the sole suspect in the November 13 slayings of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20.
Prosecutors haven’t said whether they want to seek the death penalty for Kohberger, but considering the magnitude of his alleged crimes, it appears likely.
Rep. Bruce Skaug, a Republican state legislator, has sponsored legislation that would reinstate execution by firing squad as well as lethal injection in the state.
Skaug’s bill requires the Idaho Department of Prisons to assess if lethal injection is an option no later than five days after a death warrant is obtained.
If this technique is unavailable, the IDOC may utilize a firing squad.
The measure does not define how many or what type of firearms to be used in the execution, simply that the techniques utilized in the execution would be determined by the director of the IDOC.
Skaug believes the approach is more humanitarian than lethal injection, which has recently resulted in horrific anguish for condemned convicts.
He also told the Idaho Capital Sun that other states, such as Utah, had reinstated the use of a firing squad in recent years due to a lack of fatal injection chemicals.
Skaug, who chairs the Idaho House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee, will now hold a public hearing on the bill.
