DRIGGS, Idaho — On Thursday, Feb. 13, Jeremy Albert Best pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder in the death of of Zeke Best and Second Degree Murder in the deaths of Kali Best and her unborn child Freya in Teton and Bonneville Counties.
This comes after Best pleaded not guilty in January 2024.
In November 2023, 50-year-old Best killed his pregnant wife and kidnapped their infant in Victor, Idaho. On Dec. 2, Best was arrested and the infant found deceased near Idaho Falls; two days later, Best was charged with two counts of first degree murder for his wife and unborn child, which was updated to three counts of murder in the first degree on Dec. 19.
According to a joint news release from Teton and Bonneville Counties, a plea agreement was reached as the result of a felony mediation conducted in Bonneville County, which included family members of the victims. Under the plea agreement, Best will face life imprisonment, but both parties are otherwise free to argue for any other conditions of the sentence.
Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Bailey Smith previously filed notice of the State’s
intent to seek the death penalty, but the news release confirms that the plea agreement will spare Best from the potential of the death penalty.
Sentencing on these murder charges is scheduled to begin on July 23.
