The family of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves criticized suspected killer Bryan Kohberger’s alibi, suggesting that if it held merit, it would have been presented months earlier, and therefore it’s “not really an alibi.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Kohberger’s defense was questioned this week when he submitted his alibi after significant delays, claiming he couldn’t have committed the quadruple murders because he was out driving “to see the moon and stars.”
Prosecutors noted that Kohberger’s phone was inactive between 2:47 a.m. and 4:48 a.m. on the night of the murders of students Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
Responding to the alibi submission, Goncalves’ family highlighted that if Kohberger disputes cellphone data, as suggested in his filing, it would be either before or after the times of the murders.
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“We have been waiting on this information for months and it has finally arrived,” Kaylee’s father, Steve Goncalves, said, KREM reports.
“It is so hard not knowing anything about the case and you find you have to cling to dates, motions and hearings in order to figure out anything. A big part of this has been waiting on the Alibi information. Now that it is here we feel even more confident in the prosecution of the Defendant.
“The Defense’s claim is that the Defendant was driving late at night hiking/running and stargazing. We are not sure why it has taken over a year for this to come out as those don’t seem to be complicated activities.
“We believe that If this alibi had any weight it would have been submitted months ago. It also in direct conflict with the Probable Cause affidavit that states that the Defendant’s phone was turned off between 2:47am and 4:48am.
“So if the Defendant was driving around and there is cell phone information that he was in a different place it would be either before or after the times of the murders. Hence not really an alibi. We continue to look forward to justice in this case and can now put this part of the proceeding behind us. Thank you for all your support for our family!”
Kohberger was indicted by a grand jury following his arrest in December 2022 on four counts of murder. Last year, the state of Idaho announced its intention to pursue the death penalty.
A trial date has not been scheduled. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Bryan Kohberger, left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, looks toward his attorney, public defender Anne Taylor, right, during a hearing in Latah County District Court, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)]
