BOISE, ID – Bryan Kohberger was back in an Ada County courtroom Wednesday for a pretrial hearing. Over the course of nearly eight hours, attorneys debated what evidence will be allowed in Kohberger’s upcoming trial, set to begin in August.
Kohberger is accused in the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.
Kohberger’s defense team pushed to suppress several pieces of evidence they argue could unfairly prejudice the jury.
One of the most contested items is Kohberger’s online purchase history. Prosecutors claim he bought a knife, sheath, and sharpener consistent with the brand of a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene. The judge ruled that the prosecution may present this evidence, though the defense is expected to question its reliability during trial.
Another point of contention was eyewitness testimony from a surviving roommate who told investigators she saw a masked intruder with “bushy eyebrows” leaving the scene. The defense challenged the accuracy of her statement, suggesting possible inconsistencies and the roommate’s state of mind at the time. The judge has not yet ruled on whether that testimony will be admitted.
The court also heard arguments about other pieces of evidence the defense hopes to keep out of trial, including 911 call recordings, Kohberger’s academic writings, personal photos, and weather data that prosecutors believe is connected to his alibi. The judge has not issued a decision on these items.
Kohberger’s attorneys also indicated they plan to introduce his autism diagnosis as a mitigating factor should he be convicted. They asked the judge to allow them to disclose his diagnosis during opening statements, explaining it could help the jury understand his demeanor in court. That request remains under consideration.
Adding another layer to the case, the defense revealed they had received a tip suggesting another possible suspect. They plan to call an expert witness to support a theory that two people may have been involved in the killings, using two different weapons. The judge gave the defense until May to submit evidence supporting this claim.
Kohberger also requested that his family be allowed to attend the trial. However, prosecutors indicated they may call some of his family members as witnesses, which would prevent them from being present in the courtroom until after they testify. The judge urged prosecutors to consider allowing them to attend and recommended calling them early in the proceedings.
Kohberger’s trial is set to begin on August 11, 2025, in Boise.
