Associated Press - November 3, 2009 1:54 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Fewer Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in murder cases in recent years.

The Idaho Statesman reports that only two counties have asked for the death penalty in murder cases since 2003, and Ada County prosecutors haven't pursued capital punishment since jurors declined to find two defendants eligible for the death penalty in 2005.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7 years ago that juries, not judges, must issue the death penalty.

Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.