MOSCOW, Idaho — The man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in late 2022 likely won't go to trial until early 2025.
During a hearing in Latah County Court on Wednesday, prosecutors and the defense tried to agree on an appropriate trial date for Bryan Kohberger, who is facing four counts of first-degree murder and, if convicted, the death penalty. Attorneys also discussed how much access the defense should have to genetic evidence and grand jury materials, as well as possibly moving the trial out of Latah County.
While no official decisions were made, the defense and prosecution agreed on March 3, 2025, as a possible trial date; however, that date won't become official until another hearing takes place to discuss a change of venue.
Anne Taylor, Kohberger's defense attorney, said she wants to determine whether or not the trial can be moved outside of Latah County sooner rather than later. She argued it doesn't make sense to set the trial date before deciding on the change of venue. Taylor filed a motion to move the trial out of Latah County on Jan. 31 but did not file any documentation to support the motion. The defense now has until mid-April to do so.
"There are other considerations besides just the massive amount of media and an impact on potential jurors," Taylor said. "That's what we're going to talk about. I think it's timely. I think it's appropriate to set a change of venue motion. I think it is what makes the most sense for the court to make that determination and set a trial date from there."
Judge John Judge is expected to hear arguments for a change of venue at a hearing set for May 14, 2024.
The state argued it's premature to discuss a change of venue, especially if the trial likely won't happen for at least another year. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the court should be able to determine any potential juror impacts, such as the publicity the trial has received.
"There has to be a showing that that publicity has impacted the jury to the point where that juror cannot sit in this box as a fair and impartial juror and make a decision based only on the evidence presented in this courtroom," Thompson said. "That's the issue that Your Honor is going to have to decide on the change of venue question. And it can't do that based on a bunch of affidavits from experts who say, 'Judge, there's been a lot of publicity.'"
The judge said he wanted to make an informed decision about changing the venue, which is why he wanted to see what the defense had to present for its argument for doing so. Still, he said he would prefer to keep the trial in Latah County.
Although a trial date has not officially been decided, the state proposed March 3, 2025. The final date won't be determined until after a change of venue hearing happening in May.
Kohberger is charged with the first-degree murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen. The four were found stabbed in a home near the University of Idaho campus on Nov. 13, 2022. Kohberger was arrested one month later in Pennsylvania and has been at the Latah County Jail ever since.
Since his arrest, Kohberger has been indicted by a grand jury and chose to stand silent at his arraignment. Last year, the state of Idaho filed intent to seek the death penalty against Kohberger.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: Search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
Apple TV: Search "Spokane News from KREM" in the Apple store or follow this link.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.