Court weighs death penalty 2 years after University of Idaho murders

Wednesday marks two years since four University of Idaho students were murdered in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

The victims — Ethan Chapin of Skagit County, along with Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen — were fatally stabbed on Nov. 13, 2022. Chapin and Kernodle were 20 years old. Goncalves and Mogen were 21.

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Bryan Kohberger, a former graduate student at nearby Washington State University, has been charged with the killings. When asked to enter a plea last year, Kohberger stood silent. A judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

Prosecutors have said they will pursue the death penalty when the trial begins next August.

During a pre-trial motion hearing last week, attorneys for Kohberger asked a judge to take the death penalty off the table.

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Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler pushed back against some of the defense's arguments against the death penalty but did not make a ruling. Hippler said he would issue a written ruling on the motions in the coming weeks.

Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, told the Associated Press the details of the case warrant the death penalty, if Kohberger is found guilty.

“You’ve got four victims, all in one house — that’s more than enough,” Goncalves said.

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The trial is expected to last up to three months.