(NewsSpace.com) – It’s been more than a year since four University of Idaho students were brutally murdered in their off-campus home, and police arrested suspect Bryan Kohberger. In that time, the case has remained largely in the spotlight due to Kohberger’s defense team’s actions. Now, his team is trying one last-ditch effort to have the indictment thrown out.
Request to Throw Out Grand Jury Indictment
On May 16, 2022, Kohberger was indicted by a grand jury on four charges of first-degree murder and a single felony count of burglary for allegedly breaking into the off-campus home. In July 2023, the defense team submitted a motion to have the indictment thrown out, claiming the jury was given improper instructions. In August, it filed another motion to dismiss the indictment, this time claiming juror bias. Latah County Judge John Judge ruled on both motions in December, denying them.
A few days after the motions were dismissed, Kohberger’s defense team submitted another one, asking the judge to reconsider. The judge then ordered a hearing. The two teams are scheduled to meet on January 26 in a closed-door hearing that is designed to “protect the privacy of the grand jurors and the grand jury’s procedures.” The first meeting, at 11 a.m., will address the first motion that centers on prosecutorial misconduct, inadmissible and insufficient evidence, and a biased grand jury.
Another hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. to address the motion claiming jury bias. This one will be made public. Finally, following that, there will be another public hearing to potentially set a trial date.
Prosecution Asks for Summer Trial
According to KPAX, the prosecutors in the Kohberger case have asked for a summer 2024 trial date, citing that the college and high school in Moscow would be closed at that time. Moscow High School is next to the courthouse, which could lead to security and traffic issues if schools are in session.
Additionally, in scheduling the trial, prosecutors asked that the trial time be set between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in order to give jurors time to attend to “their personal affairs.” The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks. Kohberger has refused to enter a plea, which resulted in the judge entering a “not guilty” plea on all counts.
The house where the students Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen were murdered is set to be demolished at the end of this year. Both the prosecution and defense teams have visited the home recently, though they declined to comment on their activities at the residence.
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