Idaho
Timeline: Two years after the University of Idaho murders, here’s where things stand
Four University of Idaho students were found dead in a home not far from the university campus two years ago on Nov. 13, 2022. Police determined they were victims of homicide, and did not identify and catch a suspect until the end of December in Pennsylvania.
Madison Mogen (21), Kaylee Goncalves (21) and Xana Kernodle (20) lived at the house, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin (20) was staying at the home that night. Two other women who lived in the home were in the residence that night, but were not killed.
A murder weapon was not found at the home, but the sheath of the knife was found in one of the bedrooms.
Nearly seven weeks later, police announced they had arrested a suspect in the murders, 2,500 miles away in Pennsylvania. Bryan Kohberger was charged by Latah County Prosecutors with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
Kohberger was indicted by a grand jury in May 2023 and was arraigned later that month. He “stood silent” at that hearing, so the judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. His defense team tried to get the indictment dismissed in October, but the judge ruled it will stand.
The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in June 2023 against Kohberger.
In December 2023, the home where the murders happened was demolished. Before the demolition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation documented the home to build visual and audio exhibits, as well as a physical model of the home.
A memo was filed in July 2024 supporting a change of venue for the trial from Latah County to Ada County. Kohberger’s attorneys wrote he is protected under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Idaho, and his protection to a “fair and impartial jury is infringed without a change of venue.”
That change of venue was granted in September 2023 and the location was decided by the Idaho Supreme Court. It was later announced the trial would be moving to Ada County and Judge John C. Judge would be replaced by Judge Steven Hippler.
It’s been a long road to getting a trial scheduled. Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial and at this time, the trial is scheduled to begin in August 2025 in Ada County. It is expected to run through November.
The trial will start at 8:30 a.m. and end around 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a 45 minute lunch break. Some trial weeks may be shortened, depending on court obligations outside of the trial.
Kohberger’s attorneys are trying to have the death penalty removed from his case. They have attacked the death penalty from multiple angles, arguing it is arbitrary, unconstitutional, violates international law and that waiting on death row for years or decades wondering if you’d get lethal injection or firing squad if the state couldn’t get the right drugs was unfair.
Idaho
Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario
ONTARIO, Oregon — A fire in a lot near W. Idaho Ave and South Oregon Street in Ontario has visibly damaged sheds and power lines.
Idaho News 6 arrived at the scene Sunday morning at around 12 p.m., finding nearby sheds across a fence line scorched, but standing. Power lines appeared to be damaged in the blaze.
No fire, police, or EMS were still on scene, and there were no surrounding road closures.
Idaho News 6 has reached out to officials and is awaiting additional information.
Idaho
Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees
ADRIAN, Oregon — The Friends of the Owyhee organized a clean-up in Malheur County in Oregon, and volunteers came out to pick up trash and get rid of abandoned campers.
“We had two abandoned RV’S and a camper that were abandoned out on public lands,” said Tim Davis, who runs the Friends of the Owyhee. “They were sitting there for upwards of a year, and it is really clear that it is hard to get rid of these.”
WATCH| Check out the video to see volunteers demolish a camper—
Volunteers camp out for the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees
Davis worked with the local sheriff’s office and the BLM to remove the campers, but he found it difficult because there was no place to take these recreational vehicles. The Gambler 500, an off-road group, brought out some people to demolish a camper with an excavator.
“That is awesome to see the turnout with the army of volunteers we have today,” said Brian Arndt of the Gambler 500 group. “We are going to be able to get the camper all in the dumpster, get it cleaned down to the frame, and then everything that can be recycled will be recycled.”
Volunteers camped out on Succor Creek Road on Friday night so they could get an early start on Saturday. Many volunteers will camp out again on Saturday night and finish the clean-up on Sunday.
“Malheur is the 12th largest county in the United States, and it’s 74 percent public land,” said Davis. “We have very few resources with the BLM; they are understaffed, they have one rec planner right now, so us, as public land owners, should be able to step up and keep this place clean.”
Lela Blizzard works as the lone recreational planner for the Vail District of the BLM, who says most sites have signs that say pack it in and pack it out. She says the BLM really needs the cooperation of the public because of how large it is, and she was happy to see how many volunteers showed up.
“I just want to tell them thank you because I know they are taking time out of their weekend to come out here to help us make sure the land continues to look nice for everyone who comes out to enjoy it,” said Blizzard.
Griz Ward is one of the volunteers, and he enjoyed camping out, but he also would like to see people pick up after themselves. When it comes to outdoor recreation, it is so important to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
“If you come out here and play in the area, be respectful,” said Ward. “Pack it in and pack it out, leave no trace and do the right thing, or frankly, stay home.”
The Succor Creek Clean-Up also received a lot of support from the Treasure Valley, as they got donations from the Ontario Sanitation Service with the dumpsters, Tates Rents with the excavator, and United with porta-potties for the campsite.
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Idaho
No Kings movement brings statewide protests to Idaho this weekend
IDAHO — ‘No Kings 3’ protests will take place throughout Idaho on March 28, including in Boise and Twin Falls.
According to the Idaho 50501 Facebook page, there will be speakers & musicians playing at protests across the Treasure Valley.
Protests will take place in Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, Mountain Home, Twin Falls, and other Idaho cities.
NoKings.org
On March 28, Neighborhood Reporters Allie Triepke & Lorien Nettleton will bring coverage of the Boise & Twin Falls protests on Idaho News 6 at 10.
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