OPINION:
This week, the nation was stunned to learn that prosecutors in Idaho have agreed to accept accused killer Bryan Kohberger’s plea deal (“Bryan Kohberger admits to killing 4 Idaho students, but motive remains unclear,” Web, July 3). On Wednesday, Mr. Kohberger — who was previously charged with brutally murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022 in Moscow, Idaho — pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Much of the U.S., as well as several of the victim’s families, are outraged that Mr. Kohberger will not face the death penalty.
It is incredibility ironic that this case is coming to a head at a time when we are seeing another high-profile case hinging on a “life without parole” sentence from California: the Erik and Kyle Menendez case. If ever there were an example of when “life without parole” does not guarantee that the accused will never get out, it is the Menendez case. After serving more than 30 years in prison, the brothers appear likely likely to soon be freed.
There is always a segment of the public that cries foul and demand the convicted be freed. As we see in the Menendez case, the punishment experienced by the accused depends on politics and the political climate at the moment. This is not justice.
What is plaguing our judicial system? Is it incompetence, laziness, corruption or just gutter politics?
Let us never forget that while the feelings and desires of the families of the four murdered Idaho students should be foremost, Mr. Kohberger’s crimes are in fact crimes against all the people of Idaho and all the citizens of the United States. The prosecutors and judges who made the decision to accept the deal have violated the trust bestowed in them and let us all down.
JAMES W. ANDERSON
Talladega, Alabama
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