Accused University of Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger returns to court on Wednesday for a hearing on multiple motions by both sides in the high profile case over what evidence will be allowed to be presented at trial when it gets under way this summer.
Kohberger, a graduate student at nearby Washington State University in criminology at the time, is charged with killing undergraduates Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves in the early hours of November 13, 2022. He was arrested six weeks later at his parents home in Pennsylvania, where he had gone for the winter holidays.
Read CrimeOnline’s previous reporting on the University of Idaho murders.
Also this week, prosecutors filed paperwork adding former U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho Joshua Hurwit to their team as a special deputy prosecuting attorney, the Associated Press reports. Hurwit served in the federal office from 2012, when he joined as an assistant US attorney, until February.
Wednesday’s hearing which may extend into Thursday, will also include another attempt by Kohberger’s defense to exclude the death penalty if he’s convicted, this one arguing that their client has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Defense attorneys are also seeking to exclude data from Kohberger’s Amazon account, which reportedly shows that he bought a Ka-Bar brand knife, sheath, and sharpener in March 2022, according to the Idaho Statesman. Investigators found a Ka=Bar knife sheath at the crime scene and found DNA on it, which was later linked to Kohberger.
They are also seeking to exclude testimony from a police crime lab manager about the DNA on the sheath. Prosecutors said in an earlier filing that the defense planned to argue at trial that the sheath was planted at the scene.
The judge will also hear arguments about text messages from the surviving roommates on the morning of the murders as well as the 911 call they made. The defense wants that information suppressed.
The prosecution, meanwhile, wants Kohberger to testify himself about his supposed alibi for the time of the murders — that he was driving around the countryside alone — while the defense wants to present cell phone data to back up the alleged alibi. Police have already said that Kohberger’s phone was turned off for key portions f the time.
The trial is set to begin on August 11 and is expected to last about three months. Jury selection will begin in late July.
