On Thursday, a judge ruled that DNA records that first identified Bryan Kohberger as the suspect in last year’s quadruple slaying at the University of Idaho must be turned over for review.
Second Judicial District Judge John Judge gave prosecutors until December 1 to turn over the FBI documents, though some of them he already ordered to be given to the defense through the discovery process. Judge will review the rest of the FBI documents before deciding whether those must be given to the defense as well, as the prosecution has filed a protective order in regard to the matter, according to the Idaho Statesman.
The news outlet reported that the FBI used investigative genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as the suspect in the November 2022 murders. Investigators entered DNA from the crime scene into a genealogy website like 23andMe to construct a family tree that apparently implicated Kohberger.
Prosecutors have maintained that investigative genetic genealogy was not used to obtain any warrants in this case. Prosecutor Bill Thompson said they do not plan to present this evidence at trial — but they do intend to show DNA from the crime scene is a “statistical match” to a cheek swab taken from Kohberger when he was apprehended, the Idaho Statesman reported.
Though Kohberger’s trial was expected to begin in October, it was delayed indefinitely after he waived his right to a speedy trial.
The defense has claimed Kohberger was not at the crime scene and was driving around alone the night Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed at the women’s off-campus home on November 13, 2022.
However, police claim he visited the area 12 times before the slayings and that he turned off his phone on the night in question.
Investigators tested DNA from a trash can outside Kohberger’s family home in Pennsylvania against DNA found on the sheath at the crime scene. Testing determined that “at least 99.9998% of the male population would be expected to be excluded from the possibility of being the suspect’s biological father.”
Prosecutors filed court documents detailing their intent to pursue the death penalty as they deemed the slayings were “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.”
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[Featured image: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool]
