The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
36°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Jury returns death penalty verdict in case against convicted cop-killer Jonathan Renfro

Sgt. Greg Moore’s widow Lindy Moore, right, gets a hug from Moore’s ex-wife, Jennifer Brumley, after the jury handed down the death penalty to Jonathan Renfro at the Kootenai County Courthouse on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Sgt. Greg Moore’s widow Lindy Moore, right, gets a hug from Moore’s ex-wife, Jennifer Brumley, after the jury handed down the death penalty to Jonathan Renfro at the Kootenai County Courthouse on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Ryan Collingwood ryanc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5473

Jonathan D. Renfro, who was convicted this month in the shooting death of Coeur d’Alene police Sgt. Greg Moore, learned his fate from a panel of jurors Saturday morning. Their verdict: the death penalty.

After ending the day Friday without a verdict, the jury resumed delilberations Saturday and reconvened in a packed Coeur d’Alene courtroom after reaching their decision about 9 a.m.

The death penalty verdict comes after eight weeks of proceedings and six weeks of court hearings and testimony. Renfro was convicted of first-degree murder on Oct. 13.

When Judge Lansing Haynes read the death penalty verdict Saturday morning, he said the jury found that the defense’s argument wasn’t strong enough to warrant a lighter sentence of life in prison.

The state of Idaho has not carried out a death penalty sentence since 2012 and has seven people on death row. Three inmates have been executed since 1957.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Renfro, 28, did not exhibit emotion as the verdict was read Saturday, a day after he told the jury he would “accept that decision and will support it” if given the death penalty.

Moore’s family members and friends appeared emotional as court concluded. Moore’s wife, Lindy Moore, gave Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Robins a long embrace before leaving the courtroom.

“Justice,” a Moore supporter said as she was leaving the courthouse.

Coeur d’Alene police Chief Lee White said his department and Moore’s family will give a statement on Monday, but offered his initial thoughts on the verdict.

“The members of our department believe justice has been served,” White said outside the courthouse.

The prosecution and defense said they couldn’t comment on Saturday’s verdict until after Monday’s sentencing hearing.