Idaho judge makes ‘family tree’ DNA disclosure decision

Idaho prosecutors must turn over some of the genetic genealogy evidence used in the Brian Koberger investigation, a judge has ruled.

The extent of evidence disclosure is unclear, and a gag order has been imposed on the case, so details are being submitted in strict confidence.

Judge John Judge wrote in a public filing that after reviewing the evidence at issue, “some” should be shared with Koberger's defense team.

“The specific materials to be provided are set out in a sealed order to protect the privacy of IGG (investigative genetic genealogy) information, including individuals on the family tree,” the judge wrote.

Idaho judge awards Brian Koberger victory in genetic genealogy battle

Prosecutors had argued that police used the IGG evidence to obtain leads, but not to obtain a warrant in the case, so it did not need to be disclosed.

Police recovered DNA from the sheath of a Ka-Bar knife found under the body of the victim, 21-year-old Madison Morgen. She was found with stab wounds in an upstairs bedroom along with her best friend, Kaylee Gonsalves, 21.

Investigators then allegedly matched the DNA sample from the pod to Koberger's cheek swab.

Judge denies request to dismiss charges against Idaho student murder suspect Brian Koberger

Madison Morgen, top left, poses with Ethan Chapin, Zana Kernodle and two other housemates in Gonsalves' last Instagram post, which was shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. , smiling on the shoulder of her best friend Kaylee Gonsalves. . (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)

The other two victims were Zana Karnodol and Ethan Chapin, both 20 years old.

All four were undergraduate students at the University of Idaho.

Koberger was studying for a Ph.D. at neighboring Washington State University, about 10 miles away, at the time of the killing.

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A view of the sliding glass door at the rear of the house at 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho, on November 14, 2022. The University of Idaho demolished the house on December 28th. (Derek Schock, FOX News Digital)

Koberger is accused of breaking into the victims' six-bedroom rental home and slaughtering them before the surviving housemates saw the masked man come out the back door.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Koberger was driving a white Hyundai Elantra, the same type that motor vehicle investigators identified as the suspect vehicle, and turned off his cell phone before commuting to and from the crime scene. It is said.

In December 2022, Brian Koberger's white Hyundai Elantra was seen during a traffic stop in Indiana as the quadruple murder suspect was driving to Pennsylvania with his father. (Hancock County Sheriff's Department)

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Citing phone records, police claimed that he had stalked the victim's home more than a dozen times. murder case Then a few hours later I drove past it again.

Mr. Koberger is being held without bail. A judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at his arraignment in May.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty.