In a shocking turn of events, Idaho is on the verge of becoming the first state to adopt a firing squad as its primary method of execution. This big news comes just months before the highly anticipated trial of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of the tragic University of Idaho murders.
Currently, only Idaho, Utah, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Mississippi allow firing squads, but none have made it their default execution method. However, House Bill 37 could change that. The bill, which recently cleared the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee, now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote. If passed, Idaho will stand alone in its use of this controversial execution method.
Lethal injection remains the standard practice, but recent botched executions, including the failed attempt to execute convicted serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech, have sparked renewed debate. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Bruce Skaug, argue that a firing squad is more reliable, legally sound, and humane compared to lethal injection.
However, not everyone agrees. Sen. Dan Foreman, a Republican, strongly opposed the bill, calling it “cruel and inhumane.” He warned that reinstating the firing squad could damage the state’s reputation and draw widespread criticism.
This debate is unfolding as prosecutors push for the death penalty in Kohberger’s case. He is accused of brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, a crime that shocked the nation. His mental health records were recently turned over to the prosecution, possibly as a last-ditch effort to avoid execution.
If House Bill 37 is signed into law, Idaho will cement its place in history as the only state to rely on a firing squad as its default execution method. Will this highly controversial bill make it through? Stay tuned for more exclusive updates.
