A judge has ruled that prosecutors are permitted to retain a wealth of evidence in their case against Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in their off-campus residence in 2022.
The Idaho judge’s decision to deny defense motions aimed at suppressing various forms of evidence is among the most recent developments leading up to the trial, scheduled to commence in August 2025.
The journey to this point has been lengthy and complex since the four students – Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen – were fatally stabbed in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, at a house located just off the school’s main campus in Moscow, Idaho.
Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student in criminology, was apprehended in connection with the killings on December 30, 2022, in his home state of Pennsylvania. He faces four counts of murder; a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf in May 2023, and his attorneys have indicated the 29-year-old intends to present an alibi as part of his defense strategy.
The case’s progression has been slowed by a series of pre-trial motions and hearings, causing frustration for the family of one of the victims and the judge overseeing the proceedings.
These hearings generally fall into several categories. One pertains to the defense attorneys’ access to evidence, particularly the prosecution’s use of investigative genetic genealogy in building their case. A second set of hearings addresses Kohberger’s proposed alibi of innocence. Thirdly, there have been numerous hearings related to a gag order restricting what parties can publicly disclose about the case.
Here’s a timeline of key pre-trial developments and decisions to date:
- June 9, 2023: A coalition of media organizations and the family of a victim challenged the gag order imposed on the parties in the case.
- June 23, 2023: Latah County Judge John Judge denied both requests but issued a revised gag order allowing parties to discuss topics that do not have a “substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing or otherwise influencing the outcome of the case.”
- August 2, 2023: Kohberger’s attorneys announced they would employ an alibi defense but could not specify their client’s exact location on the night of the killings, stating he was “driving during the late night and early morning hours.”
- October 26, 2023: The judge denied a request to dismiss the grand jury indictment after the defense argued there was an error in the grand jury instructions.
- December 18, 2023: The judge denied a second motion to dismiss the indictment after the defense argued prosecutors failed to fully comply with state rules on jury selection and the jury questionnaire.
- February 28, 2024: Defense attorney Anne C. Taylor requested the court to allow three defense experts and others to view the sealed investigative genetic genealogy evidence to understand how police focused on Kohberger.
- April 4, 2024: The judge criticized Kohberger’s defense attorney for commissioning phone surveys to potential jurors that could hinder Kohberger’s right to a fair trial.
- April 17, 2024: Kohberger’s defense lawyers filed a document indicating they plan to offer a cell phone tower and radio frequency expert to corroborate his alibi of driving west of Moscow on the night of the slayings.
- April 19, 2024: The judge allowed surveys conducted with potential jurors to continue “without modification” after a temporary pause.
- April 29, 2024: The prosecution asked the court to deny Kohberger the opportunity to add to his alibi and to preclude anyone other than the defendant from testifying as to his whereabouts.
- May 2, 2024: Kohberger’s defense requested an upcoming evidentiary hearing with witnesses be made public, while the prosecution asked that it be sealed. The judge ruled it would be closed to the public.
- May 23, 2024: Taylor questioned a Moscow police detective about the preparation of visual cell phone logs and methods for searching for certain videos.
- May 30, 2024: The Moscow police detective leading the investigation and a defense expert in cell phone location data testified that the defense had not received some key evidence.
- June 7, 2024: After previously restricting access to investigative genetic genealogy evidence, the judge allowed unnamed “defense investigators” to view the material.
- June 27, 2024: The parties set a trial date of June 2, 2025.
- July 22, 2024: Kohberger’s defense team filed a memorandum in support of moving the trial out of Latah County.
- August 13, 2024: Prosecutors objected to the defense’s change of venue motion.
- August 19, 2024: Kohberger’s defense replied to the state’s objection.
- August 29, 2024: Four expert witnesses testified for the defense about potential biases in the local jury pool.
- September 5, 2024: Kohberger’s defense team filed 13 motions aimed at removing the death penalty from his case.
- September 9, 2024: Judge John Judge granted the defense motion to move the trial out of Latah County.
- September 12, 2024: The Idaho Supreme Court ruled to move Kohberger’s trial to Ada County.
- September 26, 2024: The new judge in the case indicated he was considering changing the trial date.
- October 9, 2024: Ada County district judge moved Kohberger’s trial date to August 11, 2025.
- November 7, 2024: Hippler said he is considering motions to dismiss the death penalty.
- November 15, 2024: Kohberger’s defense team filed motions to suppress evidence from multiple warrants.
- November 20, 2024: Hippler allowed prosecutors to continue to pursue the death penalty.
- January 23 and 24, 2025: Kohberger’s defense called for the suppression of evidence stemming from investigative genetic genealogy and cell phone records.
- February 19, 2025: Judge Hippler denied a motion to suppress critical DNA evidence.
- February 21, 2025: New details emerged after a judge unsealed a transcript.
- February 24, 2025: Kohberger’s attorneys nodded to autism spectrum disorder in a motion to strike the death penalty.
- February 28, 2025: Judge Hippler ordered a temporary seal on filings related to autism spectrum disorder.
- March 3, 2025: Judge Hippler warned attorneys to stop filing so many sealed documents.
