University of Idaho quadruple slaying suspect Bryan Kohberger appeared in court on Thursday as his legal team seeks to have the death penalty dropped for his upcoming murder trial.
The Idaho Statesman reported that Kohberger ‘s attorneys claimed the death penalty is arbitrary and unconstitutional. Prosecutors filed court documents detailing their intent to pursue the death penalty as they deemed the slayings were “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.”
Ada County Judge Steven Hippler is hearing oral arguments regarding the matter during the four-hour hearing. So far, Hippler has denied testimony from the defense’s two experts, University of Idaho law professor Aliza Cover and Florida medical examiner Dr. Barbara Wolf.
Thursday’s hearing is being live-streamed, which can be viewed below.
In September, Kohberger’s trial was moved from Latah County to Boise, in Ada County. The trial’s venue was changed after the state supreme court upheld a ruling identifying publicity and media attention concerns that could jeopardize Kohberger’s right to a fair trial. Further, the courts noted that the Latah County courthouse lacked space and local police did not have enough deputies to provide adequate security.
READ: Bryan Kohberger’s Trial Could Be Delayed Following Venue Change, Judge Says
Kohberger, a former Washington State University student, is accused of murdering Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves on November 13, 2022, at an off-campus home near the school.
Kohberger’s attorneys have 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.
Mogen was found dead in bed next to Goncalves, and a knife sheath was reportedly discovered near their bodies. Downstairs, on the second floor, Kernodle was found slain next to Chapin, her boyfriend. Two surviving roommates discovered the bodies and called the cops.
Police claimed Kohberger 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.”
At the time of the slayings, Kohberger was obtaining his Ph.D. in criminology from Washington State University, which is located 10 miles from the crime scene. He was arrested in Pennsylvania in December 2022, after taking a cross-country road trip with his father from Washington to Pennsylvania.
Though Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin next June, it could be delayed following the venue change. Latah County will cover financial costs related to the high-profile trial even though it will take place in Ada County.
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[Feature Photo: Ada County Sheriff’s Office]
