Focus on case, not penalty

COEUR d'ALENE — A Kootenai County District Court Judge ruled Monday it is not the appropriate time to hear arguments against the death penalty in the case of the man accused of killing Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore.

Jonathan Renfro, 27, faces the death penalty for a series of charges connected with the May 2015 shooting death of Moore in a Coeur d'Alene neighborhood. In March, Renfro's defense attorneys filed a motion challenging the prosecution's intent to seek the death penalty.

However, according to Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh, a judge agreed with prosecutors during a Monday hearing and stated arguments against pursuit of the death penalty should not be litigated at this time.

Renfro allegedly admitted to police he shot Moore, who had stopped the Rathdrum man in the middle of night as he walked down the sidewalk in a neighborhood that had recently been targeted by car prowlers. Moore reportedly called in Renfro's driver license information over the radio prior to the shooting.

Renfro is charged with first-degree murder, grand theft, removing a law enforcement officer's firearm, concealing evidence, robbery and eluding police.

A jury trial is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6, with a Kootenai County District Court Judge scheduled to rule on other motions in the case on Sept. 19.