Bryan Kohberger, the prime suspect in the fatal stabbings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, four University of Idaho students, in 2022, has gotten a date for his trial.
They were killed in the early morning of November 13, 2022, at a home in Moscow, Idaho. Police arrested Kohberger after a six-week-long manhunt at his parent’s house in Pennsylvania. If he is found guilty by the court, prosecutors have said that they will demand the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger.
What Is the Latest on Bryan Kohberger?
The date for Bryan Kohberger’s trial has been set. It will begin on August 11, 2025, and continue through November 7, 2025, according to a scheduling order issued by the state of Idaho. It was initially scheduled to start in June 2025.
Other hearing dates will be held before the trial starts. A hearing will happen on November 7, 2024, to address motions challenging the death penalty as a possible sentence upon Kohberger’s conviction.
ALSO READ: How a Horny Trucker’s Sex Site Escapade Led to the Death of an Unborn Child
Kohhberger was supposed to be tried in October 2023, but that did not happen because his lawyer said the defense would not be ready. Kohberger also waived his right to a speedy trial at the time, so it was set for June 2025.
The trial was initially set to be held in Latah County, where the killings occurred. Latah County District Judge John Judge previously reported that he expected the trial to last three months, including two weeks of jury selection, eight weeks of the trial itself, and another two weeks for the verdict, sentencing, and anything else. The new trial dates will play out over a similar timeframe.
Why Bryan Kohberger’s Trial Venue Was Changed
In early September, John Judge ordered that the trial be conducted in a different part of Idaho. He believed extensive media coverage of the case and statements by other public officials would make having a fair trial impossible for Kohberger. Kohberger’s lawyers echoed the same sentiment.
Ultimately, Judge G. Richard Bevan, chief justice of Idaho’s State Supreme Court, ordered that the trial venue be moved to Ada County’s Fourth Judicial District and assigned District Judge Steven Hippler to oversee the case.
Dave Leroy, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general of Idaho, also agrees that the courthouse in Boise is better equipped to handle a trial of such magnitude. “The Ada County courthouse is many volumes larger than the Latah County courthouse,” Leroy quipped.
“And we just completed having two venue changes, sensational murder trials here, in the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell cases. So the administrative judge has established a significant protocol for how to handle the cameras, the security and the public.”
What Is Bryan Kohberger’s Family Saying?
Bryan Kohberger’s family has mainly remained supportive of him. His parents are MaryAnn and Michael. His mother was a substitute teacher, while his father worked in maintenance. They have said several things about the murders, including revealing that their son had been following the victims on Instagram and liking photos on Maddie Mogen’s account.
They have also expressed sadness for the grieving families and hope justice will win in the end, but they also hope their son won’t end up in an electric chair.
Meanwhile, Kaylee Goncalves’ family is unhappy with how the trial is being handled and has said as much. In a statement they made this spring, they expressed frustration with how long it has taken for the case to progress through the judicial system.
“This case is turning into a hamster wheel of motions, hearings, and delayed decisions,” the family said. They are not generally satisfied, but recent developments regarding the case have met their approval. The family has said they approve of the new venue and Hippler’s appointment as judge.
“Find a man that’s got some character and some leadership, and let’s hit the ground. Let’s go,” Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, said.
What Was the Alibi for Bryan Kohberger?
Bryan Kohberger’s alibi puts him on a road driving in the early morning of November 13, 2022, south of Pullman, Washington, and west of Moscow, Idaho, including Wawawai Park. His legal team says this is not unusual. After all, Kohberger is known to take long drives, usually to look at the moon and stars.
However, prosecutors think that the alibi is far too vague. Nobody can place him at those places and at those times. But Kohberger’s defense claims that his cell phone data will show his location at the time of the murders. They also plan to call a cell phone tower and radio frequency expert to corroborate their account.
ALSO READ: Eddie Lacy, Former NFL Running Back, Faces Extreme DUI Charges
Who Was Kohberger’s Target?
Journalist Howard Blum’s book, “When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders,” claims that Bryan Kohberger’s target was Madison Mogen. When he broke into the off-campus house, Kohberger bypassed two doors and went directly to her room. According to Blum, if Kohberger were on a killing spree, he would have gone to one of the other doors.
You Might Also Like:
Kanye West and Bianca Censori Spotted Together Amid Breakup Rumors
Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Leaves His and Wife Robyn Brown’s Home After Heated Fight
What To Know About Tom Brady’s Oldest Son
Todd Chrisley Expresses Fear for Wife’s “Health and Welfare” in Prison
Everything We Know About Teresa Guidice and Anna Delvey’s Beef
