Lawyers representing Bryan Kohberger have been given access to the house where he is accused of killing four University of Idaho students.
The former criminology PhD student is suspected of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in their home off-campus on November 13, 2022.
Kohberger has been held at Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, since January while awaiting a trial – which has been pushed back after he waived his right to a speedy process.
His lawyers were granted access to the murder scene on King Road on Thursday and Friday as they prepare their case. The defense indicated it wants to take photographs, measurements and possibly gather drone footage.
The university announced the home will be demolished on December 28 as it serves as a ‘grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there.’
Lawyers representing Bryan Kohberger have been given access to the house where he is accused of killing four University of Idaho students
The former criminology PhD student is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin , 20, in their home off-campus on November 13. Victims (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle
The university announced the home will be demolished on December 28 as it serves as a ‘grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there’
It’s unclear if the lawyer’s visit to the home will delay the demolition of the home.
Kohberger’s trial does not have a definitive start date.
The visit comes after the FBI was granted access to the house in October to gather additional evidence and take precise measurements of each room for 3D modeling that can be presented to the jury.
The property was given to the university in early 2023 and the intention was always to demolish it.
‘While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue,’ President Scott Green said in announcing the demolition.
Criminal Defense Attorney Jack Rice claimed Kohberger’s defense team could claim that the off-campus property where the murders took place was a wild party house where plenty of students would go.
Kohberger’s lawyers were granted access to the murder scene on King Road on Thursday and Friday as they prepare their case
‘While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue,’ President Scott Green said in announcing the demolition
Kohberger has been held at Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, since January while awaiting a trial which has been pushed back after he waived his right to a speedy trial
‘One of the most important parts of this case is that DNA, and what we know is that this is a party house,’ Rice said in new documentary clip obtained by The New York Post.
‘We know that there are hundreds of kids in this house – it could have even included him.
‘And the thing is, if he was in this house, are you suggesting that these four know everybody who’s been there? I doubt that.’
‘All of sudden, you might have a completely different trial,’ he added in The Case Against Bryan Kohberger documentary which airs on Court TV on Sunday.
A knife sheath with Kohberger’s DNA on it was found by police alongside the bodies of the victims last year.
But the suspect’s defense team could say that because hundreds of students may have previously partied inside the house, his DNA was could have been there before the murders, according to Rice.
The defense previously revealed that they would be contesting the notion that Kohberger’s DNA was left at the scene on the knife sheath.
They also claim that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the Idaho crime scene.
Neighbor Jeremy Reagan claimed there were ‘constantly people in and out of the home’.
But he added that the parties had slowed down before the murders took place.
‘They did have more stuff going on there, but they were definitely nowhere near as loud, as crazy,’ Reagan said.
Kohberger’s legal team have hinted at him having an alibi but have not yet revealed what that is.
Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted when his case comes to trial
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 hours of a November morning has raised questions about his motives
A knife sheath with Kohberger’s DNA on it was found by police alongside the bodies of the victims last year
‘Evidence corroborating Mr. Kohberger being at a location other than the King Road address will be disclosed pursuant to discovery and evidentiary rules,’ his attorney Anne Taylor said in July.
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.
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.
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.
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.