Idaho murder suspect could be executed by firing squad under new law - Washington Digest (2024)

By Sarah May on

March 22, 2023

In the wake of the Idaho state legislature's vote to bring back firing squads as an available method of carrying out prisoner executions, accused killer Bryan Kohberger could end up facing the controversial punishment, depending on how his high-profile murder case proceeds, as Fox News reports.

The Idaho state Senate and House of Representatives both passed the measure by significant margins, and the bill now goes to the desk of Republican Gov. Brad Little for his signature.

Drug shortage prompts action

Idaho's change in allowable methods of execution is the result of a nationwide shortage of drugs used to carry out lethal injections of inmates sentenced to death, as the Associated Press notes.

According to the bill just passed by a veto-proof majority of the state legislature, firing squads will only be an option if and when such drugs cannot be obtained, a scenario that has already caused multiple postponements of a prisoner on death row.

The need for alternative modes of execution has also promoted action in other states where corrections officials have had difficulties securing the drugs traditionally used to execute inmates, with Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and South Carolina having also included firing squads as a potential – though vanishingly rare – mode of carrying out the death penalty.

A key reason for the challenges states have had in procuring execution drugs is that a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers have refused to permit their products to be used for purposes of capital punishment, contending that their preparations are designed to save, not take, human lives.

Supporters laud outcome

State Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) praised the legislative outcome Tuesday, telling Fox News Digital, “H186 has now passed the Idaho Senate and House with a veto-proof majority. Upon signature of the governor, the state may now more likely carry out justice, as determined by our judicial system, against those who have committed first degree murder.”

“This is an important bill for victims, their families, and the rule of law,” Skaug declared.

Republican State Sen. Doug Ricks concurred with that take, arguing prior to final passage of the bill that the lethal injection drug shortage could go on “indefinitely” and suggesting that death by firing squad can be “humane,” according to the AP.

“This is a rule of law issue – our criminal system should work and penalties should be exacted,” added Ricks.

Critics speak out

Not everyone shared the aforementioned views, however, with Republican State Sen. Dan Foreman asserting that execution by firing squad had the potential to cause significant trauma to those assigned to carry out the punishment, witness the event, and clean up the aftermath, as Fox News noted.

Idaho defense lawyer Edwina Elcox also stood in staunch opposition to the measure, stating, “Execution by way of firing squad is antiquated and bottom line, inhumane.”

“It is deeply concerning that Idaho is reverting to such barbaric methods,” Elcox added.

Though some have suggested that death by firing squad is faster and less painful than other methods of execution such as the use of pentobarbital, experts cited in a federal case on the issue argued that an inmate shot in this way could remain conscious for a period of roughly ten seconds and would likely suffer severe pain “especially related to shattering of bone and damage to the spinal cord,” the AP further noted.

Kohberger legal team grows

Kohberger – charged in the November, 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Xana Kernodle – has yet to enter a plea in his case, and prosecutors have not formally announced whether they intend to seek the death penalty against the 28-year-old defendant.

However, just this week, as Newsweek reports, Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall granted Kohberger defense attorney Anne Taylor's request for the appointment of co-counsel qualified to handle death penalty cases, in a potential sign of what is to come.

Former federal prosecutor Michael McAuliffe told the outlet that the addition of such a lawyer is “a clear sign that the defense considers it a high probability that the state will ultimately seek death. The court evidently agrees.”

Another former federal prosecutor, Neama Rahmani, agreed with that assessment, saying that prosecutors in Idaho “will almost certainly seek the death penalty for Kohberger. There are multiple aggravating factors, including the four victims and the heinous and cruel nature of the stabbings. If you believe in the death penalty, this is a death penalty case,” and given the state legislature's decision this week, such punishment could be carried out in a way rarely witnessed in this country.

Idaho murder suspect could be executed by firing squad under new law - Washington Digest (2024)

References

Top Articles
Walden Ehub
Golds Gym 45Lb Plates
Friskies Tender And Crunchy Recall
Encore Atlanta Cheer Competition
Average Jonas Wife
Joi Databas
Air Canada bullish about its prospects as recovery gains steam
Overnight Cleaner Jobs
Wmu Course Offerings
Hk Jockey Club Result
Mcoc Immunity Chart July 2022
7.2: Introduction to the Endocrine System
What's Wrong with the Chevrolet Tahoe?
123 Movies Babylon
2013 Chevy Cruze Coolant Hose Diagram
How Quickly Do I Lose My Bike Fitness?
Günstige Angebote online shoppen - QVC.de
Mineral Wells Independent School District
How To Level Up Roc Rlcraft
Veracross Login Bishop Lynch
Chase Bank Pensacola Fl
Putin advierte que si se permite a Ucrania usar misiles de largo alcance, los países de la OTAN estarán en guerra con Rusia - BBC News Mundo
Optum Urgent Care - Nutley Photos
Garnish For Shrimp Taco Nyt
27 Paul Rudd Memes to Get You Through the Week
Mandy Rose - WWE News, Rumors, & Updates
Craigslist Wilkes Barre Pa Pets
Manuela Qm Only
Xxn Abbreviation List 2017 Pdf
Black Panther 2 Showtimes Near Epic Theatres Of Palm Coast
Cal State Fullerton Titan Online
Weather October 15
Earthy Fuel Crossword
Persona 4 Golden Taotie Fusion Calculator
Rvtrader Com Florida
Mg Char Grill
Human Unitec International Inc (HMNU) Stock Price History Chart & Technical Analysis Graph - TipRanks.com
Lehpiht Shop
Tendermeetup Login
Joe's Truck Accessories Summerville South Carolina
Go Upstate Mugshots Gaffney Sc
Planet Fitness Lebanon Nh
O'reilly's Palmyra Missouri
Achieving and Maintaining 10% Body Fat
Carteret County Busted Paper
Costco Gas Foster City
Chr Pop Pulse
855-539-4712
Bedbathandbeyond Flemington Nj
Who uses the Fandom Wiki anymore?
53 Atms Near Me
Verilife Williamsport Reviews
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5768

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.