Convicted Idaho Killer Kohberger Previously Supported Death Penalty in PhD Classes

Bryan Kohberger, convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, was a vocal supporter of the death penalty during his criminology PhD program at Washington State University, where he was reportedly the only student in favor of capital punishment. Newly unsealed documents and police interviews reveal that Kohberger often clashed with classmates over this issue, using disturbing hypotheticals—such as asking a female classmate if she would support the death penalty if her 12-year-old daughter were raped and murdered—which caused emotional distress. Despite his strong advocacy, Kohberger accepted a plea deal that spared him the death penalty, resulting in four life sentences. Prosecutors confirmed that the death penalty was initially on the table and would have been pursued if the case had gone to trial. Kohberger also believed that victims' families should have the authority to decide on capital punishment, a stance that further isolated him from peers. Additional reports describe him exhibiting aggressive and discriminatory behavior toward classmates, including a deaf student, which contributed to his controversial reputation prior to the murders.