FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2025
Contact: Bjorn Handeen
[email protected]
LATAH COUNTY, IDAHO — Colton Bennett, Republican candidate for State Representative, expressed criticism following Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson’s reported decision to negotiate a plea deal with accused murderer Brian Kohberger. “What concerns me is that Mr. Thompson has engaged in a pattern of leniency for violent killers, over the last thirty years”, Colton said.
Bennett noted that in over 20 murder cases since 1992, Thompson almost never pursued the death penalty, offering plea deals or outright declining to seek it. In the one case he did, he later backed down.
Bennett acknowledged that the death penalty is a controversial and at times problematic institution for Idahoans, but he emphasized that it was the law in Idaho and said juries, not prosecutors, should be making these decisions. “What concerns me is that Mr. Thompson appears to be engaged in nullifying Idaho’s death penalty statute: this is judicial activism and it’s wrong,” he said.
“Latah County deserves a prosecutor who will stand up for victims and enforce the law without flinching,” Bennett said. Bennett said he would like to see Idaho adopt a more centralized review process involving more than a single person as the final arbiter, similar to the process used by the federal government, when deciding rather to pursue the death penalty. “I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Goncalves” Bennett said quoting the father of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, “‘One man shouldn’t decide what four souls are worth’”.
Meet Colton Bennett
Colton Bennett is a Christian, a husband and father, an Army veteran, and a passionate defender of life and liberty. Colton served five years as a U.S. Army Combat Medic, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving one overseas deployment.
Colton has also held several leadership roles in the Latah County Republican Party. He currently works as a medical assistant at Gritman Medical Center, and he and his wife Sydney have one daughter and another on the way. Colton is running for State Representative to defend Idaho values, protect parental rights, and bring bold, principled leadership to Boise.
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The Gem State Chronicle brings you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Established 2022.
