Jury Trial Begins for Idaho Couple Charged With Creating 277-Page ‘Kill List’ Threatening Judges, Civilians
A jury trial began Wednesday at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, for an Idaho couple facing more than 120 combined criminal charges connected to an alleged 277-page “kill list” that threatened dozens of people, including judges and civilians. The case against Jonathan Daniel Harms and Jolene Lynn Harms has drawn significant attention across the Treasure Valley since their arrests in 2025.
Background: How the Ada County Case Began
The investigation into the couple originated on July 12, 2025, when the Boise Police Department arrested Jonathan Daniel Harms on felony first-degree stalking charges. Authorities said he had violated a protection order and sent what police described as a “large document containing threatening language” to two parties. Around the same time, Jolene Lynn Harms was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of telecommunication harassment, according to Boise Police.
Following a more extensive investigation, both individuals were subsequently charged with a significantly expanded list of offenses. Their alleged criminal activity spans the period from July 13 to September 25, 2025, according to court documents.
Ada County has seen a number of serious criminal cases move through its court system in recent months. Readers following local court proceedings may also be interested in an Eagle man facing animal cruelty charges in Ada County Court, where prosecutors and community members are debating appropriate charges.
Key Details: The Charges and the Alleged ‘Kill List’
Jonathan Daniel Harms and Jolene Lynn Harms each face 60 criminal charges, for a combined total of 120. The charges include first-degree stalking and attempting to influence or intimidate a witness, among others.
During the couple’s arraignment in September 2025, the state argued that Harms had written and distributed a 277-page document described alternately as a “kill list” or “manifesto.” Prosecutors said the document contained explicit language calling on readers to “go, hunt, kill,” and included directions to murder civilians, judges, and other individuals, as well as instructions to mutilate and burn bodies and buildings.
The document allegedly threatened dozens of people across multiple categories, including members of the judiciary. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against them.
In September 2025, a judge set bond for each defendant at $15,000,000 — reflecting the severity of the alleged threats and the risk assessors believed they posed to the public.
Impact on Ada County Residents and the Justice System
Cases of this nature carry significant weight for Ada County residents, particularly those working in or interacting with the court system. The alleged targeting of judges and civilians underscores a broader concern about threats to public officials and community members throughout the Treasure Valley.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Boise Police Department and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, played key roles in building the case against the couple. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office provided booking information related to the defendants as the case has progressed through the courts.
The scale of the charges — 60 counts per defendant — reflects what prosecutors apparently view as a sustained and deliberate pattern of threatening conduct over a period of more than two months. For families and community members in Boise and across Ada County, the trial represents the justice system’s response to allegations of serious and organized intimidation.
Idaho’s court system has faced scrutiny in recent years over issues ranging from judicial independence to public accountability. For context on how Idaho’s legal and political landscape intersects, see coverage of Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s involvement in a contested legislative primary.
What Comes Next
The trial, which began Wednesday at the Ada County Courthouse, is expected to last approximately nine days. Both Jonathan Daniel Harms and Jolene Lynn Harms have pleaded not guilty and will have the opportunity to present their defense before the jury.
Ada County News will continue to monitor proceedings at the Ada County Courthouse and provide updates as the trial progresses. Residents seeking court schedules or case information can contact the Ada County Courthouse directly or visit the Ada County official website for public records access.