A judge may soon decide when the trial will start for a man accused of killing four University of Idaho students over a year and a half ago.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested about six weeks after Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead in a rented home near the Moscow campus in November 2022. The students were stabbed to death, and investigators linked Kohberger, then a graduate student at nearby Washington State University, to the crime using DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, surveillance videos, and cellphone data.
In a hearing in May 2023, a judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf. Over the past few months, Kohberger’s defense attorneys and prosecutors in Latah County have been debating the evidence and other information gathered during the investigation.
Second District Judge John Judge has not yet set a trial date, citing the complexity of the case, especially since prosecutors have indicated they may seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
United States Courthouse building (Via Jake Marsh/Shutterstock)
However, this may change later this month. The judge scheduled a hearing for June 27 to discuss the schedule for the rest of the case, including trial dates and potential sentencing dates.
A broad gag order has prevented Kohberger, both sides’ attorneys, law enforcement officials, and others involved in the case from making public comments.
Earlier this month, the judge said investigators hired by Kohberger’s defense team would be allowed to review sealed DNA records, which were used in investigative genetic genealogy. This technique involves running material from a crime scene through public genealogical databases to identify a suspect or their relatives.
