Lawyers Argue Over Evidence in Idaho College Murders Trial

Introduction to the Case

Prosecutors and attorneys for a man charged in the killings of four University of Idaho students in 2022 argued some of the final ground rules they want for Bryan Kohberger’s trial in a hearing Wednesday. Kohberger, 30, is charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger, then a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania weeks after the November 2022 killings. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

The Trial Proceedings

When asked to enter a plea to the charges, Kohberger stood silent, prompting the judge to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf. Jury selection in the case is expected to begin July 30, with the trial starting Aug. 11. The trial is expected to take nearly three months to complete. Attorneys on both sides of the case have filed hundreds of pages of legal motions, including whether Kohberger should face the death penalty if he is convicted, whether witnesses should be allowed to testify about things like “touch DNA,” and who should be allowed in the courtroom during the trial.

Will Kohberger Still Face the Death Penalty if He is Convicted?

Defense attorney Anne Taylor told the judge that the death penalty should be taken off the table for several reasons, including her client’s autism diagnosis. She also said her team is still struggling to go through massive amounts of discovery material from prosecutors. Many of those documents have been jumbled, out of order or electronically locked, Taylor said. She said the issues are big enough that at this point it would be unfair for Kohberger to face the death penalty.

Can Kohberger’s Family Members Attend the Trial?

The prosecution has listed Kohberger’s family as potential witnesses. Typically, witnesses are excluded from trials until after they have testified so their testimony isn’t influenced by other evidence. But the defense team says Kohberger’s family should be able to attend because he relies on their support and it is the humane thing to do. The prosecution told the judge that the defense shouldn’t be able to dictate how the prosecution presents its case.

Will Kohberger’s Autism Spectrum Diagnosis be Brought Up if He is Convicted?

If the jury finds Kohberger guilty, the defense team plans to submit evidence about his autism spectrum diagnosis as a “mitigating factor” for why he should not be sentenced to death. The purpose is to show jurors that some of his behaviors are related to autism, Taylor said. For instance, Kohberger tends to be stoic and can sit very still for long periods of time, she said, and sometimes talks for longer than other people might want him to talk.

Are There Any Other Possible Suspects?

The defense team says they plan to present evidence of “alternate perpetrators,” and their investigation into that is still underway. But prosecutors want the judge to issue an order preventing defense attorneys from using a “shotgun approach” by throwing a bunch of names at the jury without offering substantiating evidence tying those people to the crime. Defense attorney Elisa Massoth told the judge that there’s a lot of evidence to support other suspects.

What About Inflammatory Evidence and Terms?

Kohberger’s defense team asked the judge to prevent the state from relying on the excessive use of “emotional appeal” or gruesome photographs, and inflammatory words like “murderer,” “psychopath” and “sociopath.” Hippler declined to issue a general order against inflammatory conduct but told both sides that he expected them to follow courtroom rules.

Conclusion

The trial of Bryan Kohberger is set to begin in August, with jury selection starting in July. The case has garnered significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crimes and the complexity of the evidence. As the trial approaches, both the prosecution and defense teams are working to prepare their cases, with the defense team arguing that the death penalty should be taken off the table and the prosecution team pushing to present their evidence in a way that accurately reflects the severity of the crimes.

FAQs

• Q: When is the trial of Bryan Kohberger set to begin?
  A: The trial is expected to start on August 11, with jury selection beginning on July 30.
• Q: What are the charges against Bryan Kohberger?
  A: Kohberger is charged with the murder of four University of Idaho students: Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves.
• Q: Why does the defense team want the death penalty taken off the table?
  A: The defense team argues that due to Kohberger’s autism diagnosis and issues with the discovery process, it would be unfair for him to face the death penalty.
• Q: Can Kohberger’s family attend the trial?
  A: The judge has not yet made a ruling on whether Kohberger’s family, who are listed as potential witnesses, can attend the trial.
• Q: Will the defense team present evidence of alternate perpetrators?
  A: Yes, the defense team plans to present evidence of "alternate perpetrators" as part of their case.