Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger says he’ll be lynched if acquitted as he begs judge to move trial
Accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger was back in court Thursday as his attorneys argue for a change of venue ahead of his trial.
The criminology lecturer, 29, is accused of slaying four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home in November 2022, with the case since being hit by a number of delays and postponements.
In his hearing on Thursday, Kohberger’s attorneys argued that he would not receive a fair trial in Latah County, where the murders occurred, and said residents would react with violence if he was acquitted.
While the highly anticipated trial is set to begin June 2, 2025, the victims’ families have condemned the process as it is only the latest in a number of revised dates that could again be pushed back.
Accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger (pictured September 2023) was back in court Thursday as his attorneys argue for a change of venue ahead of his trial
Kohberger 29, is accused of slaying four University of Idaho students (L-R Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle) in their off-campus home in November 2022
Although the quadruple murders captured national attention and have since become a hotbed of true-crime fascination, Kohberger’s attorneys argued that Latah County jurors would be biased.
In a legal filing, they claimed that ‘prospective jurors who have been exposed to prejudicial pretrial publicity enter the courtroom with case-specific knowledge gleaned from the media, social media, and discussions with friends, family members, and co-workers.’
‘Uncovering the full extent of jurors’ case-specific knowledge and opinions in high-profile cases can be extremely difficult.’
To bolster their arguments for a change of venue, the defense said they conducted a phone survey of residents that found over 98 percent were aware of the case, and 67 percent believed Kohberger is guilty.
However, prosecutors countered that the ‘change of venue (is not) going to solve any of these problems.’
‘The state’s position on venue is that the case should be held here. It’s a Latah County case. We believe that we can select an appropriate panel of jurors from Latah County,’ Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said at an earlier hearing.