Former BSU student faces life in prison after being charged with murder – again

GLENN LANDBERG /THE ARBITER

Joshua L. Luman, the 26-year-old former BSU student accused of fatally punching a friend in September, found out in Ada County Court Thursday that he will once again be charged with second-degree murder in connection to the case.  If found guilty, Luman could be sent to prison for life.

Luman was originally charged with murder for his role in the death of Noah Hopper, 26, after prosecutors allege the two and another friend were drinking near the bandshell at Julia Davis Park Sept. 7.  Luman allegedly punched Hopper in the face, who later died at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center several hours later.  The charge was changed to involuntary manslaughter at a hearing Sept. 9.

On Thursday, prosecutors refiled the murder charge.  They declined to comment as to why the charges were changed, but the amended charge claims Luman killed Hopper with deliberate malice – but it was not premeditated.  It also claims that Luman did not take Hopper to the hospital until several hours after the punch, which contributed to Hopper’s death the next day.

Luman waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charge Thursday, moving the case directly to the Fourth Judical District Court of Idaho, where felonies are tried.  Luman is scheduled to enter a plea in the case Dec. 4 before 4th District Judge Timothy Hansen.

Luman is a former journalist for The Arbiter.

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