An Idaho man accused of killing his wife, her unborn child, and their 10-month-old son entered into a plea deal last week to avoid the death penalty.
Jeremy Best, 50, agreed to plead guilty to first degree murder in the death of his son Zeke Best, whose throat he slit, and second degree murder in the deaths of Kali Jean Randall and her fetus, who were shot to death, KTVB reported.
He initially faced three counts of first degree murder plus enhancement regarding use of a firearm or other deadly weapon. Prosecutors filed notice a year ago that they intended to seek the death penalty, but now Best faces up to life in prison as prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police found Kali Best dead inside the couple’s home in Victor on November 30, 2023. They issued an Amber Alert for the toddler, saying that Best had killed his wife and kidnapped the boy.
On December 2, hunters found Best, naked and in a sleeping bag, alongside the road near Idaho Falls in Bonneville County. The sheriff’s office said Best was “making odd statements.” Earlier in the day, he was seen walking naked through a Dollar General Store in Swan Valley.
Investigators found the boy with a fatal neck wound.
Sentencing for Best has been set for July 23.
