Brian Koberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, appeared in court again for a pretrial hearing Thursday, where his defense attorneys confronted Moscow police detectives about their improper handling of phone records related to the defendant’s alibi.
Moscow police Detective Lawrence Mowery testified Thursday about his role in the investigation, acknowledging that he did not save any files from Koberger’s phone to his computer on the night of the murder, but told the court he was confident he could recreate the lost data.
Earlier this month, prosecutors argued that an alibi presented by Koberger’s lawyers more than a year after the murder – in which his defense argued his client drove while looking at “the moon and the stars” – was too vague.
First reported by the Idaho Statesman, Koberger’s defense team argues that prosecutors are withholding evidence in the case, including dashcam footage linked to a search warrant at Koberger’s Pennsylvania home, cell tower data, and video and audio recordings of a white sedan near the murder scene.
Idaho prosecutor’s ‘tantrum’ exposes Brian Koberger’s alibi
Brian Koberger, left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, attends a hearing in Latah County District Court in Moscow, Idaho, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. 2nd District Judge John C. Judge, seen on video footage, presided over the hearing. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren/Pool)
Investigators claim there is a cell phone signal that shows Koberger was near the home on the day of the murder, but Koberger’s defense argues he was not near the home where the murder occurred.
Police allegedly found his DNA on a knife sheath underneath the body of one of the victims, according to an affidavit related to the arrest warrant.
The lawyers have previously argued that DNA may have been faked at the scene and that the state improperly handled all of the evidence the defense should have considered.
Investigators later reportedly confirmed the match by using DNA samples from distant relatives to confirm a link to Koberger.
Idaho prosecutors file new motions in Brian Koberger case as defense raises fair trial questions
Arrest warrant photo of Brian Koberger and photos of the alleged victims. (Monroe County Jail/Instagram)
Earlier this month, prosecutors argued that Koberger’s alibi was too vague, despite his defense arguing that his client had been driving while looking at “the moon and the stars.”
“Other than the reference to Wawawai Park, the defendant has not presented any new evidence to support his original ‘alibi’ that he was simply driving a vehicle during the morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022,” Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson wrote in previous court documents.
Prosecutors allege Koberger was the masked man who entered a home just off the University of Idaho campus around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.
Brian Koberger Case: Idaho Judge Decides to Disclose “Family Tree” DNA
Brian Koberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho, on June 27, 2023. Koberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (August Frank Poole/Getty Images)
When police arrived on scene the following morning, they found four college students, Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Gonsalves, both 21, their housemate Zana Kernodle, 20, and her visiting boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, also 20, all dead inside the home.
Koberger was pursuing a doctorate in criminology at nearby Washington State University. Four rates He was charged with first-degree murder and burglary.
Koberger is being held without bail. A judge found him not guilty at his arraignment in early May.
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If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
No verdict was handed down at Thursday’s hearing. The next hearing is scheduled for May 30, when more witnesses are expected to take the stand.
Fox News’ Michael Lewis contributed to this report.
