Jeremy Best pleads guilty to three counts of murder

DRIGGS — A man accused of killing his pregnant wife and their toddler pleaded guilty to murder Thursday as part of a plea agreement.

Jeremy Albert Best, 50, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 10-month-old Zeke Best and second-degree murder in the deaths of Kali Best and her unborn child, Freya.

In Idaho, first-degree murder is considered premeditated, while second-degree murder is reckless and not premeditated.

Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Bailey Smith and Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal announced the guilty plea in a joint news release Thursday evening.

“The plea agreement was reached as the result of a felony mediation conducted in Bonneville County, which included family members of the victims,” the release says. “Under the plea agreement, Best will face life imprisonment, but both parties are otherwise free to argue for any other conditions of the sentence.”

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Best is accused of shooting and killing Kali and Freya at their Victor home in November 2023. He left with Zeke in a Chevrolet Tahoe and was found two days later in a remote part of Bonneville County lying naked in a sleeping bag on the side of the road. Zeke’s body was discovered nearby.

Jim Archibald, Best’s attorney, argued his client had a mental breakdown which resulted in the killings. Hours before Best shot Kali, he wandered around a Swan Valley convenience store, confused and naked, and was taken to EIRMC where he was later released.

Smith was pursuing the death penalty in the case but the plea agreement removed the option as a possible sentence.

Best is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23.

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