Lawyers for suspect Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students, are seeking to prevent the death penalty in his upcoming trial. They plan to bring in Dr. Barbara C. Wolf, a renowned forensic pathologist known for reexamining old cases previously deemed solved.
Dr. Wolf has a distinguished career, having worked on high-profile cases such as the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the identification of victims in mass graves in Croatia and Bosnia. She currently serves as the medical examiner for Florida's 5th and 24th districts.
Despite opposition from prosecutors, Boise Judge Steven Hippler has allowed Dr. Wolf to offer expert testimony remotely from her home in Florida. The defense hopes her expertise will help sway the court's decision regarding the death penalty.
Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing four students in their off-campus home near the University of Idaho campus. Evidence, including Kohberger's DNA on a knife sheath found at the crime scene, has been presented by the prosecution.
The defense has contested the allegations, claiming Kohberger was not near the crime scene at the time of the murders. They have also challenged the constitutionality of Idaho's methods of execution, arguing that they violate the Eighth and 14th Amendments.
Notably, the defense has argued that the firing squad, recently reinstated in Idaho, is a more humane method of execution compared to lethal injection. Experts have supported this claim, stating that the firing squad is quicker, more reliable, and less prone to errors.
Kohberger faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and burglary. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 7, where Dr. Wolf is expected to testify remotely in his defense.
