In November 2022, authorities discovered the dead bodies of four students near their off-campus home in Idaho. As the investigation progressed, police apprehended a man named Bryan Kohberger. Subsequently, he was charged with the brutal slayings. However, the defense team filed an appeal that the prosecutors indicted their client inappropriately on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. But the court denied an appeal that would have further delayed the murder case.
According to The Seattle Times, the Supreme Court of Idaho delivered a one-page ruling that denied the defense team’s appeal motion. The outlet also mentioned that the court didn’t provide any legal rationale for striking down the appeal. The publication states that the appellate case is now closed.
This is not the first time the court has denied a similar appeal in this case. In February 2024, the court struck down another appeal to dismiss the indictment against Bryan Kohberger. At the time, the judge observed that even though the case encompassed a series of serious charges, the matters raised in the motions to dismiss the indictment were considered “not exceptional.” As of now, the court has not set a trial date for the murder case.
Currently, Kohberger is at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, per Newsweek.
Bryan Kohberger murder case explored
The investigations moved forward after the killings, and police collected evidence before taking Kohberger into custody. On December 30, 2022, Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the gruesome killings of four University of Idaho students. CBS News identified the victims as Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Xana Kernodle. The outlet also indicated that the murderer used an “edged weapon such as a knife” to slay the victims.
Months after his arrest, authorities presented Bryan Kohberger in court to face charges of four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. In the court, the judge asked Kohberger if he pleaded guilty to the charges. However, he remained silent and didn’t reply to the question. Subsequently, the court entered a “not guilty” plea on the accused’s behalf, per CBS News. Following this, a DNA report came out.
The outlet reported that the police discovered a “near-exact match to the DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene.” At the time, the court noted that the trial in the case would start in October 2023. Prior to this, Bryan Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial. So, the court postponed the trial. However, citing the defense team, the outlet noted that the lead defender might not be ready for the trial by October.
When is the trial starting in the Idaho murder case?
The lead prosecutor clarified that they are seeking the death penalty. Although the defense team is trying hard to strike down the death penalty, the family members of the victims have expressed gratitude toward the prosecution team for going for the death penalty. Citing their statements, The New York Times noted, “There is no one more deserving than the defendant in this case.”
However, even months after his arrest, the court has failed to set a trial date. Recently, the court heard both sides in a hearing for the trial. As per Idaho Statesman, the prosecution and the court wanted the trial to begin by March 2025. However, the defense team stated that they wouldn’t be ready by then and suggested that the trial should start in June 2025. The lead defender said, “Not only do we have a huge volume of information, but the way I’m getting it is completely disorganized.”
