Idaho University Murders: Roommates’ Terrifying Hours and Defense Challenges

In the University of Idaho murder case, new details from surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke reveal their chaotic early morning following the stabbings of four students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Mortensen reported being awakened by strange noises around 4 a.m., leading to a series of panicked texts and unanswered calls. The defense is questioning the roommates’ timeline, particularly their eight-hour delay in calling 911, and attempting to discredit their testimony. Court documents outline a night of unsettling sounds, unknown voices, and a shadowy figure seen by Mortensen. Despite the defense’s claims of excessive phone activity before the 911 call, a psychological expert suggests various factors could explain the delay, including trauma responses and cognitive dissonance. The trial of Bryan Kohberger, charged with the murders, is approaching, with the roommates’ accounts playing a crucial role in the prosecution’s case.