MOSCOW, Idaho – Quadruple stabbing suspect Bryan Kohberger’s defense asked a court to compel more disclosure in a hearing on a series of key discovery requests in the University of Idaho student murders.
Kohberger entered the courtroom just after 4:30 p.m., wearing a black suit and tie as he did in his last appearance – in stark contrast with the orange jail jumpsuit he wore to his first several hearings.
The 28-year-old criminologist accused of butchering four undergrads in a 4 a.m. slashing on Nov. 13, 2022, is seeking several pieces of evidence that prosecutors have not yet turned over to the defense.
However, before addressing the motions, District Judge John Judge clarified some questions regarding his revised gag order in the case and warned the media that he could revoke permission to allow cameras into the courtroom.
Anne Taylor enters the courtroom for a hearing Tuesday at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. (August Frank/Tribune, Pool)
The materials Kohberger’s defense is seeking include training records for three investigators, phone records, and information on why the FBI expanded the range of model years of a white Hyundai Elantra they were looking for in connection with the case. Kohberger’s car initially fell outside the range police were publicly trying to track down – but his shares a similar appearance.
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Bill Thompson walks through the courtroom before a hearing Tuesday at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. (August Frank/Tribune, Pool)
Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson countered that records for the officers are only required to be turned over if his office plans to rely on them to testify at trial – which he said he wouldn’t.
Defendant Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order in Latah County District Court on June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images)
Two housemates were spared in the attack, including one who told police she saw a masked man escape out the back door.
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In court filings, prosecutors have alleged they recovered Kohberger’s DNA from a Ka-Bar knife sheath found next to Mogen’s body, but the defense countered that “there is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims.”
Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at the neighboring Washington State University, less than 10 miles from the crime scene. The school cut ties with him after his arrest.
He has a master’s degree in criminal justice from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.