A court hearing is scheduled Thursday for Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students.
Kohberger faces four murder charges related to the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves at their off-campus residence in Moscow. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
Investigators linked Kohberger to the case using a DNA sampling method known as investigative genetic genealogy. Thursday’s hearing will address motions concerning these investigative genetic genealogy materials, according to court documents.
During a previous hearing last Thursday, police forensic detective Lawrence Mowry revealed the discovery of cell phone files. Kohberger’s defense attorneys have accused prosecutors of withholding evidence during the discovery process, a claim the state has denied.
Both parties argue that cell phone pings will be crucial to their cases. For the defense, Kohberger’s cell phone data supports his alibi. His lawyers state that he was out driving the morning the students were killed, “as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars.”
“He drove throughout the area south of Pullman, Washington, and west of Moscow, Idaho, including Wawawai Park,” the defense attorneys asserted, insisting Kohberger was not near the house at the time of the killings.
However, investigators claim they have cell phone pings placing Kohberger near the crime scene. Additionally, DNA evidence connects Kohberger to a knife sheath found at the location, according to police.
A trial date has yet to be set.
