OAN Staff Avril Elfi
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 6:07 PM
Lawyers for Brian Koberger, who is accused of stabbing to death four University of Idaho students, are asking a judge to hold his murder trial outside of Idaho, citing “sensationalized” media coverage.
advertisement
Koberger’s lawyers argue that media coverage and public interest in the case made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
“The media coverage in Latah County is not merely a passing fad,” Ann Taylor, Brian Koberger’s public defender, wrote in the motion for a change of venue. “The material is not harmless; rather, it is inflammatory, emotive, frequently misleading, false and poorly sourced. No amount of time spent preparing for trial can reasonably be expected to slow media coverage.”
She went on to say that in order for Koberger to receive a fair trial, the case should be moved to Boise, Idaho.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, on the other hand, argued that the case had attracted national and international attention, and that moving it out of the county would not change anything or affect potential jurors’ understanding of the case. Needless to say, he opposed the decision to move the trial.
Both sides are scheduled to present their positions on August 29th.Number Hearing.
It will be up to Judge John C. Judge to decide whether the trial will remain in Moscow, Idaho, population 41,000, or move it 296 miles south to Boise, population 236,634.
“Latah County, Idaho is a small, tight-knit community, one that research has shown is prone to criminal convictions and death sentences,” Taylor wrote. “Some of the community’s major employers are those with ties to law enforcement and the University of Idaho.”
Koberger is currently awaiting trial on multiple counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery in connection with the deaths of four students who were tragically killed in the same home.
The victims have been identified as Kaylee Gonsalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Zana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
According to the indictment, investigators linked him to the murders using DNA results from a knife sheath left at the scene and found in the bed where Mogen and Gonsalves were found dead.
The affidavit states that while investigating Koberger’s previous phone location information, authorities found him at least 12 times before Nov. 13.NumberAs of January 14, 2022, his cell phone location was in the vicinity of the residence at 1122 King Road where the murder occurred.
Koberger has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his trial was originally scheduled for October 2nd.andBut it was later postponed after the 29-year-old suspect waived his right to a speedy trial and is now tentatively scheduled for June 2025.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
