Judge Allows Death Penalty Consideration for Bryan Kohberger Despite Autism Diagnosis
A judge permitted prosecutors to pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger in the murder of four University of Idaho students, rejecting claims related to his autism diagnosis.
Overview
In a recent ruling, a judge determined that Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. Defense lawyers argued that Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder diminished his culpability and made the death penalty a cruel punishment. However, the judge found no legal basis to exclude the death penalty based on autism, stating it does not equate to an intellectual disability. The trial is set to start in August 2024, where jurors will also examine evidence including 911 calls from surviving roommates.
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Analysis
- A judge ruled that prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger despite his autism diagnosis, deeming that autism spectrum disorder does not exempt him from capital punishment under current law.
- Defense argues that Kohberger's autism reduces his culpability and that executing someone with autism would be cruel and unusual punishment, but the judge found no national consensus agreeing with this stance.
- The trial for Kohberger, charged with murdering four University of Idaho students, is set to begin in August, with evidence from the case including 911 calls and text messages potentially being presented to jurors.
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The defense argued that Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder diminished his culpability and that executing someone with autism would constitute cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment.
The judge found no legal basis to exclude the death penalty based on autism, stating autism spectrum disorder does not meet the criteria of intellectual disability which qualifies for exemption from capital punishment, and there is no national consensus against applying the death penalty to individuals with ASD.
Bryan Kohberger's trial is set to start in August 2024.
Jurors will examine evidence including 911 calls from surviving roommates of the victims during the trial.
History
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