Idaho

What to know about Idaho’s death penalty after Chad Daybell was sentenced to death

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2024

What to know about Idaho’s death penalty after Chad Daybell was sentenced to death

(CNN) — Chad Daybell was sentenced to death for the murders of his wife and two of his second wife’s children this weekend, but when and whether he will be executed remain wide-open questions.

It’s typical for the appeals process in capital cases to go on for years, and they often reach the US Supreme Court before an inmate is ultimately put to death. In Idaho, the imposition of a death sentence is followed by a mandatory post-conviction review, and defendants are able to pursue an appeal after the filing of a death warrant.

Click here for complete coverage of the Chad Daybell trial

In the meantime, the high-profile nature of Daybell’s case – and the looming capital trial of Bryan Kohberger, who’s pleaded not guilty in the killings of four University of Idaho college students – will bring renewed attention to Idaho’s death penalty, which is seldom used and attracted headlines earlier this year when officials halted their first execution attempt in more than a decade.

Here’s what to know about the death penalty in Idaho.

Executions are uncommon

Executions are relatively rare in Idaho, which, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, has carried out just three executions since 1976, when the US Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment. The first was in 1994, followed by two others in 2011 and 2012.

To put this in context, Texas has put to death 580 inmates within the timeframe, DPIC’s data show – by far the most of any state. And Oklahoma, which has carried out the highest number of executions per capita, has executed 124.

Only a handful of the 27 states where the death penalty remains legal have carried out as few executions as Idaho: Kentucky, Montana and Pennsylvania have also each put to death three people since 1976. Kansas, Wyoming and Oregon have executed even fewer, with zero, one and two executions, respectively.

Additionally, Idaho’s death row housed just eight inmates prior to Daybell’s sentence, according to the Idaho Department of Corrections. California – which, it should be noted, has a population more than 21 times the size of Idaho – has 638 condemned inmates, nearly 80 times the size of Idaho’s death row.

Officials recently halted an execution

Idaho officials attempted to carry out the state’s first execution in 12 years several months ago. But they were forced to abort midway through the procedure, citing difficulties setting an intravenous line to deliver the fatal drugs for lethal injection.

That echoed difficulties seen in executions in other states, including Alabama. Officials there similarly had to call off two executions in 2022 after authorities were unable to access the inmates’ veins before their death warrants expired.

The Idaho State prison complex near Kuna is shown on February 28, the day officials halted the execution of Thomas Creech after they failed to find a vein to establish an IV line to carry out the lethal injection. (Kyle Green, AP)

The execution of Thomas Creech, scheduled in Idaho for February 28, was “unable to proceed” after eight failed attempts to establish IV access, state Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt said at the time. The execution team encountered two different issues, Tewalt said at a news conference: In some instances it was “an access issue,” and in others a “vein quality issue.”

Tewalt praised the medical team’s willingness to halt the execution, telling reporters the state’s “first objective is to carry this out with dignity, professionalism and respect,” and he disputed the suggestion the execution was a “failure.” The department said in a statement Creech’s warrant would expire while the state considered next steps.

2 execution methods, both with challenges

The decision to call off Creech’s execution also raised questions about when and how the state would endeavor to put an inmate to death in the future.

Tewalt told reporters a second attempt using lethal injection – Idaho’s main method of execution – would require the state to seek out new chemicals.

While he expressed “a high level of confidence” the state could secure the drugs, a number of states have struggled in recent years to obtain them after pharmaceutical companies began prohibiting the use of their products for that purpose. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, for example, has repeatedly postponed executions citing companies’ unwillingness to sell the drugs necessary.

Idaho recently legalized a second method of execution, with an aim toward sidestepping this kind of supply problem. Last year, Gov. Brad Little signed a new law allowing the Department of Corrections to use the firing squad if the drugs are not available.

But as of late February, the state lacked the facilities it needed to carry out an execution by firing squad, Tewalt said. In a message to corrections staff, the director said his department had been working to retrofit its execution chamber to accommodate the alternative method.

“Those initial efforts were unsuccessful because contractors who would engage in this type of work have expressed their unwillingness to work on a project related to executions,” Tewalt said, “but efforts are ongoing.”

The director added construction on the execution chamber would prevent the state from being able to use it – even for lethal injection – until the work is completed.

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Idaho

Idaho silversmiths craft wearable works of art inspired by the West

Published

10 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Idaho silversmiths craft wearable works of art inspired by the West

From artisan jewelry to cowboy boot spurs, women silversmiths in Idaho turn raw metal into works of art. As part of a special Expressive Idaho series, we are revisiting a gathering of Idaho artisans called the “Cowgirl Congress.”

This story was made to be heard. Click or tap the ‘Listen’ button above for the full audio.

Transcript:

CERISE: I wanted every piece to be hand forged and individual and unique. It’s very rare that I make two pieces that are exactly the same. My name is Mary Cerise and I am the owner of Hanging Moon Silver, which is a silver company. I make fine and very wearable art out of sterling and fine silver. I am not originally from Salmon, but it’s been my home for 16 years and I really enjoy that little kind of nook of the world that is off the beaten path. And it is definitely a destination.

Arlie Sommer

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Mary Cerise of Hanging Moon Silver in Salmon leading the presentation on Building the Artist Road Map.

WANGSGARD: I’m Annie Wangsgard and I live in Milad, Idaho. And I’m a silversmith and I’ve been silversmithing for 12 years, I think, right around there. My favorite part about probably the whole process of anything that I make is the design, you know, the design process, and trying to come up with something that has never been done before, I guess I rate my success on whether I’m able to take the image in my brain and the idea and then bring it to life. And if I can do that, then it’s success.

CERISE: I use a lot of opals and turquoise. I’m very particular about my sourcing of stones, so I use very ethically sourced, I know all of my miners and my lapidary cutters, and that’s very important to me that I’m buying right from the guys who dig it out of the ground.

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— 2026 Expressive Idaho – Silverwork

Erica Brewer jewelry of Rowdy Jeans Designs in Tendoy.

Arlie Sommer / Idaho Commission on the Arts

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— 2026 Expressive Idaho – Silverwork

Erica Brewer jewelry of Rowdy Jeans Designs in Tendoy.

Arlie Sommer / Idaho Commission on the Arts

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— 2026 Expressive Idaho – Silverwork

Jewelry by Annie Wangsgard of Silver Dust Silver Co. based out of Malad.

Arlie Sommer / Idaho Commission on the Arts

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— 2026 Expressive Idaho – Silverwork

Jewelry by Annie Wangsgard of Silver Dust Silver Co. based out of Malad.

Arlie Sommer / Idaho Commission on the Arts

WANGSGARD: When I first got started, I was really drawn to rings. I, a little bit got branded as a ring maker, you know, a western ring maker, which is great, I’ll make lots of different things. I’ve made spurs. And I’ve made a bit. And um, it’s definitely a lot different than just silversmithing. Working with steel is a lot dirtier than working with silver.

Annie Wangsgard of Silver Dust Silver Company in Malad.

CERISE: This Idaho Cowgirl Congress. And there’s something about being with other makers, even if they’re not silversmiths, maybe they’re not metal workers, they’re leather workers or fiber artists, fine artists. We travel along the same path a lot. I love the opportunity for collaboration, and I just want to continually learn. That’s my definition of success, is continually striving to learn more and push harder. Some of the hardest days give me the best pieces of work because usually those are the most beautiful times. We have similar difficulties with or challenges that we face, right? Having these businesses and being an artist. And we also have big successes, and those are the people that celebrate your successes. So I would say, it feels like coming home.

This Expressive Idaho episode was produced by Lauren Paterson, with interviews recorded by Arlie Sommer and edited by Sáša Woodruff. Music by Lobo Loco.

The web article was written and edited by Katie Kloppenburg and Lacey Daley.

Expressive Idaho is made in partnership with the Idaho Commission on the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. This program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Idaho

Brush fire prompts temporary railroad closure north of Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

Published

22 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Brush fire prompts temporary railroad closure north of Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

IDAHO FALLS — A large brush fire prompted the closure of a section of railroad tracks on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the Idaho Falls Fire Department, firefighters responded to the brush fire around 1:50 p.m. near the tracks off of North Haroldsen Drive. The fire reportedly threatened nearby structures and businesses.

When crews arrived, they encountered “multiple spot fires and burning debris across a dry grass area,” which created quickly changing conditions and challenging access.

Officials believe the fire was caused by metal work in the area, which produced sparks that ignited nearby dry grass.

The fire burned about 150 yards long and 800 feet wide, extending from a fence line toward the railroad tracks. Due to multiple spot fires, the total affected area has not yet been measured.

A large brush fire North of Idaho Falls prompted the closure of a railroad Wednesday morning. | Idaho Falls Fire Department

Fire crews deployed two Type 3 brush trucks, one Type 6 brush truck, one tactical tender, three Type 1 engines and a ladder truck. Dispatch coordinated with the railroad to halt train traffic in the area during suppression efforts.

Crews quickly contained the fire and stayed on scene to monitor conditions, extinguish hot spots and prevent rekindling due to continued wind. No significant property damage was reported.

“This was a fast-moving fire in a complex area to access, and our crews executed a strong, coordinated response,” said Idaho Falls Fire Chief Johan Olson in the release. “They did an outstanding job stopping the fire before it could impact nearby businesses or cause significant loss. With the unusually dry conditions we’re experiencing, we urge the public to treat current conditions more like mid-summer. Please use extreme caution with anything that could create sparks around dry vegetation.”

The Idaho Falls Fire Department reminds residents that increased heat, wind and dry conditions significantly elevate fire risk. Avoid activities that may produce sparks near dry grass, and report any signs of fire immediately.