Kohberger’s trial relocation sought due to jury bias concerns
Defence argues local bias makes fair trial impossible in Latah County
Lawyers representing Bryan Kohberger, accused of the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, sought to relocate his trial from Latah County, arguing the area couldn’t ensure an impartial jury.
This latest development follows a two-year legal battle, fraught with pretrial hearings and delays that have frustrated the victims’ families. The trial, which may result in the death penalty for Kohberger, is scheduled for June 2025.
Kohberger, 29, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. His legal team filed a motion to transfer the trial, citing a “mob mentality” that endangers their client and the courthouse. They propose moving the trial over 300 miles to Ada County, where Boise is located.
All eyes are on Bryan Kohberger as his defense team fights to move his trial outside of Latah County, where he's accused of murdering four University of Idaho students nearly two years ago. But how do the victims' families feel? Kaylee Goncalves' parents join @BrianEntin pic.twitter.com/F6CzusHngO
— Dan Abrams Live (@danabramslive) August 30, 2024
The defence argued that Moscow is deeply prejudiced, with some residents expressing extreme views. According to anonymous survey responses:
– “They’d burn the courthouse down.”
– “They would probably find and kill him.”
– “There would likely be a riot, and he wouldn’t last long.”
Amani El-Alayli, a social psychology professor at Eastern Washington University, testified that finding unbiased jurors in Latah County would be nearly impossible due to pervasive media coverage. She noted that pretrial publicity tends to predispose jurors to convict.
People in small communities are more likely to be influenced by authoritative statements. The local police chief’s public confidence in capturing the right suspect is generally accepted as truth.
Defence attorney Anne Taylor asked El-Alayli if potential jurors would likely be biased against Kohberger. El-Alayli confirmed, citing pervasive, fear-inducing headlines.
James Todd Murphy, president of media monitoring firm Truescope, testified that media coverage in Latah County is significantly higher than in Ada County. His analysis showed that the case received twice as much coverage per person in Latah County.
Murphy acknowledged that Ada County had periods of more intense media coverage. However, the overall media presence in Latah County remains greater.
The defence argued that the prosecution is aware of the venue problem and emphasised Kohberger’s right to a fair trial. The filing also mentioned that media coverage in Latah County is often inaccurate and inflammatory.
Sheriff's deputies in Idaho put a helmet on Bryan Kohberger before he was put into a waiting pickup truck and transported to jail pic.twitter.com/KLmyC2zsbW
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) January 5, 2023
Survey work by defence expert Bryan Edelman indicated that potential jurors in Latah County are more likely to prejudge Kohberger’s guilt.
Judge John Judge expressed concerns about displaying social media posts during Edelman’s testimony, aiming to minimise exposure to such content.
Edelman surveyed 400 Latah County residents about their knowledge of the case. Truescope analysed media coverage but couldn’t quantify untraceable media from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.
Respondents in Latah County predicted community outrage if Kohberger wasn’t convicted, while Ada County respondents felt their community would react calmly.
The defence also noted that Moscow lacks facilities for a high-profile, three-month trial, referencing past cases like Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, which were moved to Ada County.
Prosecutors maintain that a fair trial can occur in Moscow, despite widespread media coverage. They argue that survey findings suggest Latah County residents are statistically less likely to prejudge Kohberger. Prosecutors also proposed alternative methods to ensure impartiality, such as a large jury pool and thorough screening.
Moving the trial would inconvenience witnesses and victims’ families, prosecutors added.
The case dates back to November 13, 2022, when Moscow police discovered the bodies of four students – Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle, who were stabbed to death.
The murders and subsequent manhunt unsettled Moscow, raising concerns about student safety.
Kohberger, a graduate student at Washington State University at the time, was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on December 30, a month after the killings.
Authorities linked him to a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the crime scene. His DNA matched a sample from a knife sheath found on a victim’s bed.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Albany Herald article focuses on Bryan Kohberger’s request to move his trial from Latah County due to fear of community outrage and potential violence if acquitted.(read more)
- Reddit – Idaho murder suspect wants trial moved after survey results say town will ‘burn the courthouse down’ if he’s acquitted. Bryan Kohberger’s lawyers argue for a relocation due to potential jury bias in Latah County, where residents threaten violence if he is acquitted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022.(read more)
- Yahoo News reports that lawyers for the man charged in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students have requested a trial move due to widespread public bias and media coverage, highlighting the challenges of ensuring a fair trial.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
Bryan Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022.
Why do Kohberger’s lawyers want to move the trial?
They argue Latah County can’t provide an unbiased jury due to intense media coverage and community prejudgment.
When is Kohberger’s trial set to begin?
Kohberger’s trial is currently set for June 2025.
What evidence links Kohberger to the murders?
Kohberger’s DNA matched DNA on a knife sheath found at the crime scene, and he was linked to a white Hyundai Elantra.
What are the prosecutors’ arguments against moving the trial?
Prosecutors argue a fair trial can be held in Moscow and moving the trial would inconvenience witnesses and victims’ families.
