West
New Idaho judge in Bryan Kohberger trial no stranger to brutal murder cases
Bryan Kohberger, the 29-year-old criminologist accused of a quadruple home invasion murder, will soon get a change of scenery after more than 18 months behind bars in the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho.
In a one-page order signed by Idaho’s Chief Justice Richard Bevan, the state’s high court chose Ada County for Kohberger’s trial, assigned District Judge Steven Hippler to the case and ordered Kohberger’s transfer to a jail closer to the Boise courthouse.
Ada County has a larger courthouse to accommodate more members of the public and what is expected to be a large gallery of reporters for Kohberger’s trial, which was scheduled to begin next year. And Hippler is no stranger to high-profile murder cases.
“Judge Hippler appears to be an experienced trial judge who handles serious cases,” said David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney who has been following the saga. “This case, of course, will be an entirely different animal given the national interest it has generated.”
BRYAN KOHBERGER GETS NEW JUDGE IN CHANGE OF VENUE FOR STUDENT STABBINGS TRIAL
Last month, he oversaw the trial of a brutal prison beating that was so severe the victim died from his injuries while in the hospital. In March, Hippler handed down a life sentence to a drunken driver who intentionally struck two pedestrians, one fatally, noting at sentencing that “[the defendant] has shown that the community is not safe with him in it at this time – and for a long time.”
Last year, Hippler oversaw the conclusion of the murder case against David Randall, who tortured and beat his ex-girlfriend before stabbing her to death when she stopped by to pick up some belongings.
The killer initially pleaded guilty in a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, but then he tried to take it back. Hippler rejected his arguments and ultimately sentenced him to life in prison with a change for parole after 25 years.
The victim in that case, Darla Fletcher, was stabbed more than 50 times with a screwdriver and a drumstick, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.
And back in 2022, Hippler sentenced both parents of 9-year-old Emrik Osuna to life without parole for killing their son. He was tortured, beaten and starved to death, and police were able to recover evidence from a “nanny cam” running in their apartment. He also imposed a 100-year no-contact order barring the parents from speaking with their other children.
While Hippler has often agreed to prosecutors’ sentencing requests, he hasn’t imposed a death penalty. Records show he took the bench in 2013, and Idaho’s last execution was carried out a year earlier.
Prosecutors in Kohberger’s case have already said they plan to seek the death penalty if he is convicted. The defense is trying to have it taken off the table.
BRYAN KOHBERGER’S DEFENSE CITES IDAHO TOWN’S ‘MOB MENTALITY’ IN BID FOR VENUE CHANGE
Ada County is Idaho’s most populous and includes the city of Boise, which is both the county seat and state capital. There are nearly 500,000 residents, compared to less than 40,000 in Latah County.
Latah County District Judge John Judge agreed to the defense’s request for a change of venue last week. In his order, he wrote that the state’s Supreme Court would make a final determination about where the trial would be moved.
Some Boise legal experts had anticipated Hippler’s selection, according to Edwina Elcox, a defense attorney based in the city who once represented “cult mom” killer Lori Vallow, whose trial also took place in Ada County after a change of venue.
She said she expects the trial to be held as scheduled in June 2025, but the judge will likely make his presence known right away.
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“I think they will want to get things moving and established,” she told Fox News Digital. “Judge Hippler will want his own timelines and deadlines set and strictly adhered to.”
Prosecutors sought to have the trial held at the courthouse in Moscow, next to the jail where the 29-year-old Kohberger had been held without bail since shortly after his arrest in Pennsylvania at his parents’ house, roughly seven weeks after the Nov. 13, 2022, slayings. He was transferred to Ada County over the weekend.
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The defense complained the local community and media coverage were too biased for him to get a fair trial in Latah County, claiming he could face a lynch mob if acquitted. Ada County was on a list of three larger counties the defense said it would “gladly agree to” for a change of venue.
Kohberger is accused of entering a six-bedroom rental home at 4 a.m. Nov. 13, 2022, and killing four students inside with a large knife.
They were Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin, also 20.
All four were attending the University of Idaho, and the house, which has since been torn down, was just steps off campus.
Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at neighboring Washington State University, about 10 miles away across the state line.
Judge entered not guilty pleas on Kohberger’s behalf at his arraignment in May 2023. Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder and another of felony burglary.
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San Francisco, CA
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Denver, CO
Denver sidewalk fees clear final hurdle, billing to begin in 2025
The Denver City Council on Monday gave final approval to converting the billing structure for Denver’s voter-supported sidewalk repair and construction program to a flat $150 for more than 95% of property owners next year, doing away with the highly variable billing approach outlined in the original measure.
Property owners with large lots will still pay more. The billing formula will add $3.50 per foot to the annual cost for any property with more than 230 feet of street boundary.
Semi-annual bills will start hitting property owners’ wastewater accounts in the first six months of 2025, officials say.
Watch our previous coverage in the video player below:
Denver sidewalk fee ordinance changes make it out of committee, head to council
The changes were among several amendments to the ordinance that the council preliminarily approved following a public hearing last week. Up for a final vote Monday, those changes passed unanimously again as part of the body’s consent agenda, signaling a lack of controversy.
Nick Williams, the deputy manager of internal and external affairs at the city’sDepartment of Transportation and Infrastructure, reiterated at the meeting that the sidewalk program relieves property owners of the responsibility for paying for the entirety of sidewalk work in front of their lots. That was the arrangement before voters overturned it in 2022.
Read the full story from our partners at The Denver Post.
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Seattle, WA
Seattle Reign vs. Gotham FC: Gamethread
Seattle Reign is back at Lumen Field tonight, taking on Gotham FC at 7 PM PT. The match will air on CBS Sports Network and stream on CBSSports.com.
The Reign are riding a seven-game undefeated streak as they continue to make up for a rough start and push for a playoff spot. They’ve won their last three games, while Gotham has won three of their last four.
Gotham (11-4-4, 37 points) has scored 23 goals and conceded 16. Seattle Reign (5-9-5, 20 points) has scored 23 goals and conceded a league-high 32.
What to Watch
- How the Reign deal with Gotham’s intense press – Gotham has one of the most intense presses in the league, but they are vulnerable when teams switch the field consistently and are good in possession
- Gotham don’t allow many chances – can the Reign take advantage when they have a chance in front of goal?
- Dangerous in transition – both teams are dangerous in transition, with the Reign adding this to their skillset in recent matches
Referees
REF: Shawn Tehini
AR1: Noah Kenyawani
AR2: Nicholas Seymour
4TH: Baboucarr Jallow
VAR: Alexandra Billeter
AVAR: Brian Marshall
Lineups
Highlights
To come
Injury / Availability Report
Seattle Reign
OUT: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Jess Fishlock (leg), Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence)
QUESTIONABLE: Jordyn Huitema (illness)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Emeri Adames (USA), Jordyn Bugg (USA)
Gotham
OUT: Sinead Farrelly (SEI – concussion), Svava Gudmunsdottir (excused absence), Sam Hiatt (foot), Maitane Lopez (hip), Kelley O’Hara (excused absence), Midge Purce (SEI – knee), Jessica Silva (illness), Abby Smith (SEI – lower leg)
How to Watch
Date/Time: Monday, September 16, 7 PM PT
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: CBSSports.com (U.S.), NWSL+ (International)
Join the Discussion
This is your Seattle Reign vs. Gotham FC gamethread. Join the discussion in the comments or on Discord if you’re a paid subscriber. Get real-time highlights from @RoValks on Twitter.
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