Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story stated that a trial had been set for March 14. In fact, a status conference will be held on March 14.
DRIGGS, Idaho — Jeremy Best, facing three first-degree murder charges for the deaths of his pregnant wife, unborn child and 10-month-old son, has entered a plea of not guilty.
According to court documents obtained by Buckrail, Best was declared fit to stand trial on Dec. 22, 2023, after proceedings had been delayed over his mental status. Best was arraigned via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 3, when Best’s attorney Jim Archibald entered Best’s plea of not guilty.
Judge Dane H. Watkins, Jr., presided over the arraignment, and set a status conference for Thursday, March 14, at 1 p.m., which will take place via Zoom, and will also be viewable on Judge Watkins’ YouTube channel.
Best remains in Bonneville County Jail. Despite the crimes occurring across two counties, the case has been consolidated to play out in the Teton County District Court in Driggs.
In Idaho, first-degree murder carries a possible sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment and can incur the death penalty. The prosecution has 60 days from the date of a defendant’s plea entry to file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. In addition to the three murder charges, Best faces three enhancements for the use of deadly weapons in each crime.
