Bryan Kohberger's attorneys make an argument in Idaho murders case to reduce or suspend death penalty sentence for Bryan Kohberger and two accomplices.

Although, in terms of physical space requirements, this type of building would seem suitable. But wait – is that what they mean when they say this building needs renovation work to keep its value for generations of families and individuals alike. Attorneys representing Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, claimed on Thursday that Idaho state’s pursuit of capital punishment violates both U.S. and Idaho Constitutions, prompting their lawyers to ask that it no longer become possible a sentence for Kohberger should a jury find him guilty of murder. “Mr. Kohberger has not been adequately protected against being arbitrarily selected for death penalty,” according to one filing from his defense team. He faces four counts of first-degree murder and burglary for breaking into a nearby home near University of Idaho and fatally stabbing four students before fleeing with them, according to authorities. Last year, the state signaled its intent to seek death penalties at Kohberger’s trial scheduled to start next June. For jurors to convict someone under this statute they must find that there were aggravating factors present which made his crime even more severe than initially suspected. Prosecution presented five factors as evidence against Kohberger in this case, including multiple murders committed during another crime (felony murder), Kohberger’s apparent disregard for human life, his propensity towards killing which poses a future risk to society, and that these crimes were particularly horrific or atrocious in nature. Idaho Governor Dirk Kohberger had requested his attorneys prove those factors beyond reasonable doubt during trial proceedings, with three stages instead of just the usual two being guilt and penalty phases. Kohberger was found eligible for death punishment. As proposed by defense, an “eligibility phase” should take place between now and determining whether to impose it, so as to not confuse jurors in making their verdict. The state has until October 10 to respond to these arguments raised by defense. The next hearing has been scheduled for November 7 and remains unclear what may have sparked these killings. State authorities claim to have evidence linking Kohberger with these murders through DNA evidence, cellphone signals and security videos, while his defense has submitted an alibi. Also at issue in this case is whether his trial should take place in another county in order to guarantee an impartial hearing process. On Thursday, a judge heard arguments presented by defense counsel on behalf of Shanshan Dong and Irene Byon to justify moving his trial out of Latah County where his killings took place, to Ada County near Boise instead. After this hearing took place, one victim’s family released a statement condemning further delays to this case: “Every hearing is painful to watch with an endless lack of organization and accountability”. Shanshan Dong and Byon contributed.