Kohberger defense plans to use autism diagnosis to strike the death penalty

BOISE, Idaho — The defense team for suspected killer Bryan Kohberger appears ready to claim an autism diagnosis as a reason to take the death penalty off the table.

Court records show a motion was filed Monday, February 24 to strike the death penalty due to an “Autism Spectrum Diagnosis.”

The motion has not yet appeared in public records. A motion to seal this motion was also filed.

An additional motion was also filed Monday looking to stop the death penalty for state violations which has also not been made available to the public.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. The state is seeking the death penalty if convicted.

The Idaho legislature is currently looking at a bill that would make the firing squad the primary form of execution in the state.