The lawyer appointed to represent Bryan Kohberger in his murder trial in Idaho has spoken to a state legislative group to oppose expanding the types of crimes that can be punished by death in the state.
Anne Taylor, head of the Kootenai County Public Defenders Office, informed state senators that the new law would significantly increase the number of death penalty cases in the state and the funds needed to handle them, as reported by the Idaho Statesman. the Idaho Statesman reported.
Taylor is the lone public defender in northern Idaho qualified to handle death penalty cases. There are twelve other public defenders statewide who are qualified. Taylor’s co-counsel in the Kohberger case, Jay Logdson, is the only death penalty qualified co-counsel in the northern region.
“These cases aren't resolved quickly,” Taylor stated to the senate panel last week. “If it stays a death penalty case, it can take years to go to trial and reach a sentencing phase in that case. … Idaho isn't equipped or ready for this.”
Kohberger, 29, is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. as CrimeOnline previously reported. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson mentioned last year that he plans to ask for the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Idaho mandates that a defendant who can't afford a lawyer be given a death-penalty qualified public defender within 14 days of being charged with an eligible crime. Currently, the only crime that can be punished by death is first degree murder.
“When somebody's charged with a crime where the death penalty could be imposed — whether it will be asked for or not by the prosecutor — the accused is entitled to representation from a capital-qualified team,” Taylor said. “That happens long before a prosecutor makes a determination of whether death will actually be sought or not, but that team has to be in place that early.”
Kohberger is charged with first degree murder. Taylor’s arguments have no connection with his case whatsoever.
The bill before the state senate has already passed the state house and would make certain sex crime against children under the age of 12 punishable by death. The US Supreme Court has already ruled such a law unconstitutional, but that did not deter legislators from pushing for in anyway.
Kohberger is due in court again on May 14 for a hearing on Taylor’s motion for a change in venue. Meanwhile, Taylor has until April 17 to provide a notice that they intend to present an alibi, including “the specific place or places at which the defendant claims to have been at the time of the alleged offense and the names and addresses of the witnesses upon whom he intends to rely to establish such alibi.” The defense has said that Kohberger was driving around on the night of the murders with his phone turned off.
Judge John Judge said that he would set a trial date after deciding on the change of venue motion.
[Featured image: FILE – Bryan Kohberger, second from left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, is escorted out of the courtroom as two of his attorneys, Anne Taylor, second from right, and Jay Logsdon, right, confer following a hearing in Latah County District Court, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool,File)]