Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students, are in court today as they fight to relocate his murder trial, arguing a “mob mentality” has formed against him in Latah County.
Kohberger is charged with the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were stabbed to death in an off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13 2022.
Police said they linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cellphone data, an eyewitness account, and his white Hyundai Elantra.
In a motion filed last week, Kohberger’s lawyers surveyed potential jurors in Latah County who said there could be violence in the local area if he is found not guilty.
Potential jurors said “there would likely be a riot” and “they’d burn the courthouse down”. Prosecutors accused Kohberger’s team of using flawed survey data in its requests to move the trial, and argued the victims’ families will be affected if the case is moved.
At today’s hearing, the defense called three witnesses, including an expert who showed how often people both Latah County – where the murders happened – and Ada County – where the defense wants the trial moved, were exposed to media coverage of the case.
Kohberger is set to stand trial in June 2025.
The county’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved boosting Latah County District Court’s trial expense budget to $150,000 for fiscal year 2025 — more than 40 times their 2024 budget of $3,500, according to ABC News.
Officials have said the county requires a cash infusion because the high-profile trial will cost taxpayers a lot of money.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 20:30
Court is on lunch break until 1:30pm local time/4:30pm EST.
When court resumes, the livestream will start up 10 minutes later due to a portion of the proceedings that Judge Judge says will not be for the public.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 20:25
Prosecutors say moving Bryan Kohberger’s June trial to Ada County would be expensive and that it would be disruptive for the victims’ families.
They also argued that just because there has been extensive coverage of the murders doesn’t mean an unbiased jury can’t be seated in Latah County.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 20:00
In Murphy’s testimony, he displayed graphs and charts that showed how often people in both Latah County and Ada County would have been exposed to media coverage of Kohberger’s case.
As expected, Latah County, where the murders took place, has had more coverage of the case.
The county’s coverage has been steady while it has declined elsewhere.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 19:43
Court is back in session after a mid-morning break.
The defense calls its second witness to testify – a professor by the name of Dr. El-Alayli.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 18:29
Court is on break until 10:20am local time/1:20 EST.
Defense will present a new witness upon return.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 18:08
Todd Murphy explains to the court that the amount of media coverage of Kohberger’s case was higher in volume in Latah County – where the murders happened – compared to Ada County.
The defense argues the murder trial should be moved to Ada County.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 17:49
Elisa Massoth, one of Kohberger’s defense attorneys, calls first witness of the day.
Todd Murphy, president of TrueScope, is on the stand.
TrueScope is a media monitoring service.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 17:24
After a 15-minute delay, Bryan Kohberger’s hearing has started.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 17:16
Bryan Kohberger’s hearing will be livestreamed on Judge John Judge’s YouTube page.
The hearing is expected to begin at 9am local time/12pm EST.
Andrea Cavallier29 August 2024 16:55
County commissioners approve $150K boost to Kohberger trial expense budget
Court on lunch break
Prosecutors say moving trial to Ada County would be expensive and disruptive for victims’ families
Latah County has had more coverage of Kohberger’s case over other counties
Defense calls second witness
Court on break
Witness compares media coverage across Idaho counties
Defense calls first witness
Hearing for Bryan Kohberger begins
How to watch the Bryan Kohberger hearing
