Defense Challenges Death Penalty in Renfro Case

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Defense attorneys representing a man accused of killing a Coeur d'Alene police officer and stealing his patrol car are challenging the prosecution's notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that lawyers for Jonathan Renfro on Friday filed a motion challenging the death penalty in order to "preserve the defendant's rights."

Investigators say Jonathan Renfro, who was on parole, shot Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore on May 5 as the officer questioned him because he feared Moore would find a handgun in his pocket — a parole violation. Moore died later that evening. Renfro's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 6.