An Idaho lawmaker's proposal to make executing people via firing squad the state's primary method could have serious implications for Bryan Kohberger, who is set to stand trial for the alleged killings of 4 University of Idaho students over two years ago.
The Republican state representative who proposed the bill, Bruce Skaug, had previously pushed through a law that made the firing squad a backup measure. However, after a botched execution attempt in February 2024, Skaug is now pushing for the firing squad to be the primary way prisoners are executed, the Idaho Statesman reported.
The new bill proposal comes as Bryan Kohberger prepares to stand trial for allegedly murdering University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.
Kohberger is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Wednesday, Jan 23. Kohberger's attorneys recently filed to open that hearing to the public, and are planning to challenge the validity of DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution.
"I see this bill as being less problematic with appeals in the courts," Skaug told a House committee, according to the Statesman. "Essentially, if you don't have the bullets, then you go to the pentobarbital."
Skaug's proposal comes after Idaho failed to execute 74-year-old serial killer Thomas Creech in February 2024. The medical team couldn't find a suitable vein to lethally inject Creech, the newspaper reported.
The team spent an hour trying to find a vein, CNN reported. Creech was returned to death row. Eventually, a new death warrant was issued, but Creech's attorney's argued that another execution attempt would be "cruel and unusual" punishment. A judge has stayed the execution while the matter is settled.
Idaho currently has nine death row inmates. Although uncommon, there has been a relatively recent execution by firing squad in the U.S.
In 2010, Utah executed Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010 by firing squad, the Lewiston Tribune reported. Also, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina allow the use of firing squads as an alternative method of execution.
