Idaho
Bryan Kohberger lawyer raises questions about Idaho murder roommate’s story
An attorney representing Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University Idaho students during a home invasion, questioned the credibility of one of two surviving roommates in court on Thursday, Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz reported.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the Latah County prosecutor’s office via email on Thursday night.
Why It Matters
Kohberger, 30, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors allege that he killed Idaho University students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin after breaking into their off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho in November 2022.
Judge John Judge, who presided over the case before retiring and being replaced by Judge Steven Hippler, entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf after the defendant refused to enter his own plea during a 2023 arraignment hearing.
Kai Eiselein
What To Know
At a court hearing on Thursday, Kohberger’s lawyer, Anne Taylor, argued that the witness’ testimony could not be trusted because she has “memory problems” and was uncertain about whether or not she had been “dreaming” that she saw Kohberger at the residence just after he allegedly killed her four roommates.
“Eyewitness told police she was sure she heard one of the victims running down the stairs, diverging from the the [probable cause affidavit] narrative, Taylor says,” Ruiz wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter. “That victim couldn’t have been on the stairs because she was killed in the upstairs bedroom.”
“She attacks the eyewitness’s credibility,” he added. “Says she admitted to memory problems, wasn’t sure if she was dreaming.”
Taylor also urged the judge to drop DNA evidence from the case during Thursday’s hearing, which was the first that Kohberger had attended in months. Taylor argued that admitting the evidence would violate her client’s privacy rights.
Idaho Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye, one of the prosecutors, pushed back on the argument and accused Kohberger and his team of being “wishy-washy” about DNA evidence, according to the Associated Press.
What People Are Saying
Taylor said in court on Thursday: “This is a situation where this identification was done in complete secret behind closed doors, and it’s been continued to be a secret, and that should raise red flags.”
Kohberger’s legal team said in a motion filed last month: “This is a capital murder case and nothing about it is clear cut.”
What Happens Next
Jury selection for Kohberger’s trial is expected to begin in late July, with the trial itself beginning on August 11. Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted on all charges.
Idaho
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Idaho
Magic Valley students experience Idaho Supreme Court firsthand
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Students from across the Magic Valley visited with the Idaho Supreme Court on Wednesday to observe the judicial process during an actual appeal hearing.
The visit was part of a state and constitutional mandate requiring the court to hear appeals in different parts of the state. The session also provided an educational opportunity for local high school students and teachers.
The Idaho Judicial Branch considers education a priority when conducting these regional sessions.
“We take education as a very serious goal here in the judicial branch. We believe it’s important for people to understand why we have a court system,” said Nate Poppino, Court Communications Manager for the Idaho Judicial Branch.
Students sat through the appeal hearing and had the opportunity to ask the justices questions afterward.
Ian Knudson, a senior at Castleford High School who is considering a career in law, said the experience helped him understand both the court system and citizens’ rights.
“I’ve always been curious what it’s like. Because I know it’s not like the shows, like the suits, I love that show. But I know it’s not the same, and I just was really curious how judges act, how they talk,” Knudson said.
Knudson said the experience reinforced the importance of understanding the legal system.
“It’s important to understand somewhere that you might have to end up in. Say you make a mistake, or you’re at the wrong place, wrong time, or you get a ticket. It’s important to understand your rights and the rights of other people,” he said.
The judicial branch encourages public attendance at court proceedings as part of its educational mission.
“You know, court, by and large, is open to the public and you could just go down to your local courthouse and sit in on a hearing and get a sense of how these things work,” Poppino said.
The courthouse visit strengthened Knudson’s interest in pursuing a legal career.
“I think I’d show a lot of sympathy for people. And that way I could be a lawyer and show sympathy for the person that I’m defending,” he said.
Copyright 2025 KMVT. All rights reserved.
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