The judge presiding over Bryan Kohberger’s murder trial chastised the defense on Friday for asking the court to push back a deadline in the case.
Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. He is accused of fatally stabbing University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus residence in 2022.
Anne Taylor, Kohberger’s attorney, asked District Judge Steven Hippler to extend the deadline for filing motions related to discovery. The deadline was Thursday, and the defense filed a “Motion for Leave” on Wednesday.
Bryan Kohberger (L) and his attorney, Anne Taylor. Taylor filed a motion to extend the deadline for filing discovery motions, which the judge overseeing the case denied. Bryan Kohberger (L) and his attorney, Anne Taylor. Taylor filed a motion to extend the deadline for filing discovery motions, which the judge overseeing the case denied. August Frank/Lewiston Tribune via AP
“Defendant asserts his counsel and investigators are still reviewing ‘the vast amount of discovery in this case’ and, therefore, he needs additional time to file motions related to discovery. Motions to enlarge deadline filed on the eve of the deadline are not well taken,” Hippler wrote in an order on Friday.
Advertisement
Hippler denied the motion. He also pointed out that the prosecution’s discovery deadline was September 6.
“Defendant could have ascertained far sooner whether the discovery motions deadline would pose difficulty and brought it to the Court’s attention,” Hippler said. “Further, and importantly, Defendant has not demonstrated with his filing good cause to enlarge the deadline. He has not set forth what efforts have been made to review the discovery, what portion of discovery has not yet been reviewed, why it has not been reviewed or how long it will take to complete such review.”
The defense asked for a hearing on the motion so they could present oral arguments, evidence and testimony to support their request.
Hippler has yet to make a ruling on a series of motions the defense has filed objecting to the state’s intent to seek the death penalty.
The prosecution and defense presented arguments on the matter to Hippler on November 7. After listening to both sides, Hippler said he would take the matter under advisement and issue a ruling at a later date.
Advertisement
In the state of Idaho, defendants convicted of first-degree murder are eligible for the death penalty if the crime meets any of 11 aggravating factors.
Prosecutors have identified four aggravating factors in Kohberger’s case, which are “at the time the murder was committed, the defendant also committed another murder;” “the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity;” “by the murder, or circumstances surrounding its commission, the defendant exhibited utter disregard for human life;” and “the defendant, by his conduct, whether such conduct was before, during or after the commission of the murder at hand, has exhibited a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society.”
The trial is scheduled to start on August 11, 2025, with jury selection beginning on July 31.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The rotunda as seen on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
Ahead of the 2026 primary elections, the League of Women Voters of Idaho is teaming up with several local groups to hold candidate forums and voter education events in the hopes of boosting voter turnout.
The groups invited all candidates for public office in Ada and Canyon County’s commissions, and inlegislative district 11, which is in Canyon County.
Advertisement
The groups that are hosting include Mormon Women for Ethical Government, the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of University Women’s Boise branch and the College of Idaho’s Masters of Applied Public Policy Program.
Here’s when and where the forums are:
Ada County Commissioner District 2:7-8:30 p.m. April 24 at Meridian City Hall, located at 33 E. Broadway Ave. in Meridian.
Ada County Commissioner District 1:7-8:30 p.m. April 28 at Valley View Elementary School, located at 3555 N Milwaukee St. in Boise.
Legislative District 11:6:30-8:30 p.m. April 30 at Caldwell City Hall, located at 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
Canyon County Commissioner:6-8 p.m. May 7 at Caldwell City Hall, 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
Learn more about candidates at the League of Women Voters’ online voter guide,VOTE411.ORG.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho drivers wanting to celebrate America’s anniversary this year now have a unique way to do that. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles has released an America 250 license plate to mark the occasion.
The new license plate includes an American flag on a blue background with the words “America 250” and the dates “1776 – 2026.”
The plate requires an extra fee that will go toward supporting the Idaho Heritage Trust, according to an Idaho Transportation Department news release. The specific fee wasn’t listed.
“This plate gives Idahoans a chance to mark a historic milestone and show their pride on the road,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV administrator, in a statement. “We’re proud to offer a design that honors our country’s past while supporting Idaho’s efforts to preserve its own history.”
Advertisement
The America 250 license plate was released to celebrate a historic national milestone. | Idaho Transportation Department
Idaho’s favorite license plate
The new license plate may give Idaho’s favorite a run for its money.
The Idaho Transportation Department recently held a “Battle of the Plates” vote to find out which license plate Idahoans loved best.
The Forests Forever plate was crowned the champion on April 7. Funds generated from this plate go toward Idaho replanting and reforestation projects, as well as environmental education programs for Idaho students and teachers.
“One of Idaho’s newest plates, Forests Forever made a strong run and came out on top, highlighting just how much Idahoans value our forests and natural resources,” the transportation department said in a social media post.
Idahoans chose Forests Forever as their favorite specialty license plate. | Idaho Transportation Department
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
