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Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger appears in court in bid to overturn indictment claiming ‘insufficient evidence’ and ‘juror bias’

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Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger appears in court in bid to overturn indictment claiming ‘insufficient evidence’ and ‘juror bias’


The man suspected of savagely knifing four college students to death last November will appear in court in Idaho today in a bid to have his indictment overturned due to ‘insufficient evidence’ and alleged juror bias.

Criminology student Bryan Kohberger, 28, was indicted by an Idaho grand jury who heard the evidence during a closed-door session in May and decided to send the case to a full trial.

Kohberger, who refused to make a plea and instead chose to ‘stand silent’ at a hearing the same month, now wants to void the decision and proceed to a preliminary hearing to test the evidence against him.

Should events go his way, prosecutors in Moscow, Idaho, would be forced to argue their case in a mini trial which could result in Kohberger’s release should a judge agree that police do not have enough evidence to secure a conviction.

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The Washington State University PHD candidate was arrested last December and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one of burglary over the horror attack which left a scene so appalling, police described it as ‘the worst we’ve ever seen’.

Bryan Kohberger (pictured last month) will appear in Latah County Court Thursday for a two-part hearing where his attorneys will argue that his indictment should be dismissed

Kohberger is the only suspect in the quadruple murders of Maddie Mogen (top) Kaylee Goncalves (second from left) Xana Kernodle (second from right) and Ethan Chapin (center) - all students at the University of Idaho - who were knifed to death on November 13, 2022 in the quiet, college town of Moscow

Kohberger is the only suspect in the quadruple murders of Maddie Mogen (top) Kaylee Goncalves (second from left) Xana Kernodle (second from right) and Ethan Chapin (center) – all students at the University of Idaho – who were knifed to death on November 13, 2022 in the quiet, college town of Moscow

DailyMail.com visited the students' former home in Moscow, Idaho, which university officials plan to demolish, however it remained intact but boarded up on Wednesday

DailyMail.com visited the students’ former home in Moscow, Idaho, which university officials plan to demolish, however it remained intact but boarded up on Wednesday  

Best friends Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and young couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20, were all killed in their beds at the three women’s rented home.

The attack was so brutal, blood could still be seen dripping down the walls of gray-painted home days after the killing.

In the wake of the murders, the house was turned over to the University of Idaho which plans to knock it down to make way for a memorial to the murdered students.

When DailyMail.com visited on Wednesday, it remained intact but is boarded up and guarded by college security guards.

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A hearing on Kohberger’s motion to vacate his indictment will be held at Latah County Court in two parts: a closed morning session and an afternoon session that will be open to the public and media.

In the morning session, Kohberger’s defense attorney Anne Taylor will argue that the indictment should be dismissed based on a ‘Biased Grand Jury, Inadmissible Evidence, Lack of Sufficient Evidence, and Prosecutorial Misconduct in Withholding Exculpatory Evidence’.

Like the hearing, the motion arguing the case is sealed and could not be reviewed by DailyMail.com.

The second part of the day will see Taylor argue for a dismissal based on an error in the instructions handed to the jury, saying that jurors were ‘misled’ on the standard of proof required for an indictment.

In a closed-door morning session Thursday, Kohberger's defense attorney argued that the indictment should be dismissed based on a 'Biased Grand Jury, Inadmissible Evidence, Lack of Sufficient Evidence, and Prosecutorial Misconduct in Withholding Exculpatory Evidence'

In a closed-door morning session Thursday, Kohberger’s defense attorney argued that the indictment should be dismissed based on a ‘Biased Grand Jury, Inadmissible Evidence, Lack of Sufficient Evidence, and Prosecutorial Misconduct in Withholding Exculpatory Evidence’

An afternoon session that will be open to the public and media will hear the defense's motion to dismiss on grounds of 'error in grand jury instructions'

An afternoon session that will be open to the public and media will hear the defense’s motion to dismiss on grounds of ‘error in grand jury instructions’ 

A small memorial paying tribute to the four college students is seen outside the home where the horrific murders took place

A small memorial paying tribute to the four college students is seen outside the home where the horrific murders took place

Kohberger’s bid for freedom comes 10 months after he was apprehended during a raid on his parents’ Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania home on December 30 before being flown back to Idaho in a small Pilatus PC-12 turboprop plane on January 4.

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Since being returned to the Gem State, the alleged killer has been locked up at the Latah County Jail, with prison sources telling DailyMail.com he spends his time obsessing over TV coverage of the case and has turned to God – meeting with a local pastor every Sunday.

Kohberger has been locked up at the Latah County Jail since being flown back to Idaho on January 4

Kohberger has been locked up at the Latah County Jail since being flown back to Idaho on January 4

The November 2022 killings shocked the tiny college town of Moscow which had not seen a single murder for seven years when Madison, Kaylee, Ethan and Xana were found dead in their beds.

Police initially appeared to be stumped by the murders and issued a series of contradictory statements over whether the students had been targeted and whether the public was at risk.

Shortly before Thanksgiving, they released a photo of a white Hyundai Elantra and a plea for further information about the vehicle’s movements and owner.

The car turned out to belong to Kohberger who, in an extraordinary twist, was pulled over twice while driving the vehicle back to Pennsylvania in early December.

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Since his arrest, it has emerged that loner Kohberger had battled heroin addiction in his teens and early twenties and was banned from a bar near his parents’ home due to his creepy behavior towards women.

Police sources have since said that following his move to Pullman, Washington, to pursue a PHD in criminology, he applied to work for the Washington State University police department – but was turned down.

The manner in which the killer navigated the three-story home to kill the four students – who were sleeping in separate rooms and floors – in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022 has raised questions about his motives

The manner in which the killer navigated the three-story home to kill the four students – who were sleeping in separate rooms and floors – in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022 has raised questions about his motives 

Investigators were seen in January removing a bloodied mattress from the home where four University of Idaho were murdered in November

Investigators were seen in January removing a bloodied mattress from the home where four University of Idaho were murdered in November

Fellow students said he took an unusual amount of interest in the Moscow murder case and described his ‘sexist’ attitude towards women in his classes.

As a result of his ‘rude behavior’ towards women and his penchant for grading them differently, he was fired by his professor at the WSU criminology department John Snyder on December 19 – just days before his arrest for murder.

Over the weekend, a Dateline report provided further evidence of his bizarre behavior with a female friend at WSU claiming he broke into her home a month before the murders and moved her possessions about to make her feel ‘uneasy’.

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She also said she had asked him to set up security cameras to help her catch the person who had moved her belongings – only to belatedly realize he was the culprit and, chillingly, had enjoyed access to the footage.

Kohberger is believed to have meticulously planned the murders of Madison, Kaylee, Ethan and Xana, with a probable cause affidavit noting that he had repeatedly visited the area around their home prior to the killings.

The document also said his DNA was found on a KA-BAR knife sheath found next to the bodies of Kaylee and Madison, and that he was seen in the home by roommate Dylan Mortensen, 19.

Kaylee and Madison were discovered dead in bed next to each other, while Ethan and Xana were found on the floor below, with Xana discovered slumped over on the floor of her bedroom.

Kohberger, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence in the case, and due to a sprawling gag order, few details have emerged. He chose to 'stand silent' during his arraignment in May instead of entering a plea

Kohberger, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence in the case, and due to a sprawling gag order, few details have emerged. He chose to ‘stand silent’ during his arraignment in May instead of entering a plea

According to the document, survivors Mortensen and Bethany Funke heard something of what happened, with Mortensen telling cops she heard Goncalves say ‘there’s someone here’ at approximately 4am.

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Ten minutes later, she heard a thud and crying from Xana’s room and a male voice saying ‘it’s ok, I’m going to help you’.

At 4:17am, a dog was captured barking loudly on a neighbor’s security camera. Around the same time, Mortensen said she opened her bedroom door again and saw a tall male with bushy eyebrows leaving through the sliding glass doors at the back of the home.

She described how she had been ‘frozen in shock’ as the black-clad male walked towards her and said she locked herself in her room after he left.

A shoe print was later found outside her door.

The affidavit also reveals that Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra was captured on camera near the scene before being seen driving rapidly away from the home towards Pullman at approximately 4.20am.

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Police rapidly connected the vehicle to Kohberger and noted the similarity between his appearance and Mortensen’s description of the intruder at the rental home.



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Idaho

Idaho lawmakers pass House Bill 135 to limit state-funded services for undocumented immigrants

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Idaho lawmakers pass House Bill 135 to limit state-funded services for undocumented immigrants


BOISE, Idaho — On Tuesday, Idaho lawmakers passed House Bill 135, legislation that restricts certain state-funded services for undocumented immigrants.

Governor Little and Idaho legislators back Trump’s immigration policies, celebrate H.B. 83

The bill aims to eliminate access to non-emergency services such as state-funded vaccines and WIC benefits for individuals who cannot prove lawful presence. However, federal programs like SNAP and emergency medical care remain unaffected by the change.

Supporters of the bill argue that it’s essential for protecting taxpayer dollars and upholding the rule of law. “This legislation does not deny services. This is simply about who’s paying for it,” said Sen. Todd Lakey (R).

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Sen. Lakey (R) continued, “We have limited resources and funds, and careful use of those limited public funds and resources is one of our primary responsibilities as legislators.”

“We can have compassion when we make decisions like this, and I think we have a hard time even paying for these benefits for our own citizens today,” said Sen. Camille Blaylock (R).

Opponents of the bill warn that it could jeopardize public health and the well-being of children. “By denying immunizations, it potentially affects the overall public health of Idaho’s entire population,” said Sen. Jim Guthrie (R).

Governor Brad Little vetoes Medical Freedom Act — how his veto could be overturned by lawmakers

Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D), argued against restricting benefits for vulnerable populations. “We shouldn’t be taking away benefits for children at all, ever,” she said.

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Proponents maintain that the bill aligns Idaho with federal immigration priorities and promotes personal responsibility.

“I think it upholds legal integrity. I think it encourages legal immigration. And I think it helps us to align with the federal policies that are coming into play,” said Sen. Tammy Nichols (R).

The bill now awaits the governor’s approval before becoming law.





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'Make Idaho Healthy Again': Bill looking to cut candy and soda from SNAP benefits heads to the governor's desk

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'Make Idaho Healthy Again': Bill looking to cut candy and soda from SNAP benefits heads to the governor's desk


BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho bill looking to cut candy and soda from SNAP benefits is headed to Governor Brad Little’s desk.

If signed, House Bill 109 would allow Idaho’s Health and Welfare Director to request a waiver from the USDA to exclude soda and candy from the list of SNAP eligible foods.

If the waiver is not granted, the bill says the state will re-submit its request annually until granted.

‘Junk food epidemic’: Idaho lawmakers propose cutting candy and soda from food stamps

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In the bill’s statement of purpose, sponsor Representative Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’Alene) writes in part, “Food stamps are currently fueling the junk food epidemic.” He concludes, “Banning soda and candy from food stamps would prioritize health and nutrition while also reducing taxpayer’s out-of-control Medicaid costs. Make Idaho Healthy Again!”

The bill passed through the senate on Monday, with a vote of 48 in favor, 20 against.





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Idaho Fish and Game to host public strategic plan meeting

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Idaho Fish and Game to host public strategic plan meeting


JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Tuesday evening, the Idaho Fish and Game wants to hear from you about how the agency manages wildlife in the state.

At the Fish and Game’s Regional Office near Jerome, they will host a public forum about the agency’s 10-year strategic plan.

This plan gives the department direction for managing Idaho’s wildlife. It was last updated in 2015.

Craig White, the Magic Valley Regional Supervisor, said the meeting will allow the public to give their input on the department’s habitat management, disease control, and combating invasive species. They urge people to come out because public opinion is very helpful for their plan.

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“We work for all citizens. We also have a mandate that we provide opportunities for fishing, hunting and trapping, where it’s available, as well as wildlife viewing,” White said. “So this is the citizens chance to engage and give some direction on how they want that to be done and seen and how they want to be involved.”

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and lasts an hour and a half, but it could last longer depending on how many people show up and talk.

The meeting will be held at the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome.



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