Eerie: Bryan Kohberger Prosecutors ‘Decline to Comment’ on Whether They’ll Seek the Death Penalty Against Idaho Quadruple Murder Suspect

As prosecutors build their case against Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of the murders of four college students in Idaho, speculation is running rampant whether or not they will seek the death penalty against the Idaho quadruple murder suspect.

On May 22, Kohberger declined to enter a plea to the charges at his arraignment, electing to “stand silent” during the first step in what promises to be a lengthy legal process, Front Page Detectives reported. The judge in the case was forced to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

On that same day, a 60-day clock started ticking for Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson to file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Kohberger, KTVB reported.

As of June 23, it hasn’t been filed. In Idaho, first-degree murder can carry a penalty of death.

KTVB talked with Latah County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Bradley Rudley and asked if the county planned to file for the death penalty against Kohberger, but Rudley declined to comment.

In a previous hearing, former U.S. District Attorney for Idaho, Wendy Olson, said she believes it “is likely a death penalty case,” according to KTVB.

As Front Page Detectives previously reported, 28-year-old Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University when police believe he broke into a home in Moscow, Idaho, and stabbed four students to death: Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.

On June 9, Kohberger’s defense team filed a motion for more time in offering an alibi, as they claimed to have mountains of paperwork to work through from discovery, Front Page Detectives reported.

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On June 14, his attorneys filed another motion, stating Kohberger may want to contest the indictment, according to Front Page Detectives.

As of now, the trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2, but officials said if it becomes a death penalty case, that could change and it may push the trial out further.