Attorney Says University Of Idaho Victims’ Families Want Death Penalty For Accused Killer: Report

The families of two of the four victims slain in the University of Idaho killings last year reportedly signaled they support the death penalty for the 28-year-old man accused of the quadruple murder.

The suspect, who The Daily Wire will not name per company policy, was indicted on charges including first-degree murder six weeks after four friends and college students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Madison Mogen, 21 — were stabbed to death on November 13, 2022.

Shanon Gray, the attorney representing Goncalves’ family, told NewsNation that the prosecutor on the case would “meet with all the families individually and then make a decision based on that.”

“So, the Goncalves family obviously supports the death penalty in this case,” said Gray.

Gray said the families plan to pursue legal action against the city of Moscow over the next two years “seeking clarity on the state’s intention to pursue the death penalty,” the outlet reported.

“They want justice for the deaths of their daughter and Maddie (Madison Mogen), and Xana (Kernodle) and Ethan (Chapin),” Gray said on “NewsNation Prime.” “It’s part of the process. You know, the tort claims notice that I filed is just standard procedure. That’s something that has to be filed to protect the interests not only of the families but the victims and the community.”

The suspect was indicted two weeks ago on charges including first-degree murder and appeared in court on Monday for his arraignment.

He reportedly stood silently when the judge asked him to enter his plea, so the judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. With pleas set, prosecutors now have 60 days to decide whether to pursue the death penalty.

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His public defender also asked the judge to set a trial date in October.

Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a law earlier this year that would make the state the fifth in the nation to authorize a firing squad as a method of execution if no lethal injection drugs are available, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center.

“The law gives the director of the Idaho Department of Correction up to five days after a death warrant is issued to determine if lethal injection is available. If it is declared unavailable, the execution will be performed by firing squad,” the center’s website reads.

The law goes into effect on July 1.

Ashe Schow contributed to this report.

‘Changing How Washington Operates’: Kevin McCarthy Defends Tentative Debt Ceiling Deal

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) defended the tentative agreement on the debt ceiling he made with President Joe Biden during a press conference Sunday after criticism from some Republicans on the concessions, saying the deal is “worthy of the American people.”

The “agreement in principle” that McCarthy and Biden reached on Saturday  — just days before a potential default — has been criticized by Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus. While conceding the GOP didn’t get everything they asked for, McCarthy argued on “Fox News Sunday” that the deal is a “step in the right direction.” 

“The Democrats’ reckless spending is unsustainable and irresponsible,” McCarthy tweeted Sunday morning. “So we are changing how Washington operates by shutting down Biden’s COVID slush funds, blocking his new tax proposals, and ending the out-of-control spending that is driving up inflation.”

The Democrats' reckless spending is unsustainable and irresponsible. So we are changing how Washington operates by shutting down Biden's COVID slush funds, blocking his new tax proposals, and ending the out-of-control spending that is driving up inflation https://t.co/AGVDlh884L

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) May 28, 2023

“We know at any time when you sit and negotiate within two parties, that you got to work with both sides of the aisle,” McCarthy said in a press conference Sunday morning. “So, it’s not 100% what everybody wants, but when you look, the country is going to be stronger. This is going to be transformational where Congress is literally going to vote to spend less money this year than we spent last year.” 

McCarthy touted the deal’s reforms, including cutting red tape and protections for the military and veterans. Despite pushback from some Republicans, McCarthy said “95%” of the party was “overwhelmingly excited” about what was in the deal, and he expects GOP politicians to support it.  

McCarthy said his team worked with Biden’s advisors throughout the night and said he would have a call with the president Sunday afternoon to finalize the language. In a statement, Biden said, “The agreement represents a compromise, which means not everyone gets what they want. That’s the responsibility of governing.”

“This is a good, strong bill that the majority of Republicans will vote for,” the Speaker said. 

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) tweeted his dissatisfaction with the agreement Saturday, saying he was a “hard pass.” 

“A $4 trillion debt ceiling increase? With virtually none of the key fiscally responsible policies passed in the Limit, Save, Grow Act kept intact?” Clyde tweeted, urging conservatives to “hold the line.” 

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Similarly, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) criticized the deal, calling it a “surrender.” 

“The bottom line is that the U.S. will have $35 trillion of debt in January, 2025. That is completely unacceptable,” Buck said. 

When asked if he was worried about a motion to oust him from the Speaker role — which can begin with a single member, a concession McCarthy made during his bid for the position — he said, “Not at all.” 

The bill will sit for 72 hours for public review. McCarthy said the House will vote on Wednesday.  The Speaker added that the bill has a lot for “both sides.”