With a new court filing, the University of Idaho's quadruple murder defense team is revealing that Brian Coberger plans to argue that the knife sheath found at the crime scene at trial could be planted by a real killer.
In a state filing announced Tuesday, prosecutors summarized defense applications that appear to be sealed.
“Instead of challenging the conclusion that the DNA of the knife sheath belongs to the defendant, the defense expert's disclosures reveal that the DNA on the knife sheath does not prove that the defendant is at the scene of the crime, and that the knife sheath itself may have been planted by the real perpetrator.
Idaho investigators discovered a mixture of three DNA in their DNA after she and three friends were killed in an off-campus rental home under the fingernails of 21-year-old University of Idaho undergraduate Madison Morgen. Moscow, Idahoaccording to a previous court filing on November 13, 2022.
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Brian Coberger, accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, will be escorted to court to appear at a hearing in Moscow, Idaho, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in Rata County District Court. (AP photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
The FBI checked two other public databases that were initially identified as interested persons on December 19, 2022, and were eventually led by Kohberger, who was arrested in connection with the deaths of Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, Ethan Chapin, 20, Ethan Chapin, 20, Ethan Chapin.
Idaho State Police recovered a mixture of three people in DNA under Maddie Morgen's nails
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Kohberger's defense team aims to undermine the reliability of the Research Genetic Genealogy Research (IgG), which helped police to zero him in connection with the four-fold murder.
The prosecutor's submission also cites the disclosure of defense experts, in which prosecutors say Coberger's attorneys intend to call forensic biology experts and call DNA that testifies about the DNA found in the knife sheath.
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The DNA recovered with the buttons on a knife sheath was important evidence of the murder and was the centre of legal maneuvering prior to trial.
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Genetic genealogist, National Defense Expert Dr. Leah Larkin testified, based on a review of the discovery documents that someone from the FBI is considering the initiative that led to Coberger in violation of internal policies and terms of use of one or more genealogy databases.
With a compiled pair of movements about evidence, Vika Barlow, Defence lawyers specializing in attacking DNA evidence argued that because testing samples is inconclusive, focusing on them could lead to misleading juj judges. She further argued that the independent tests conducted for defense completely ruled out Coberger as a contributor.
Bryan Kohberger case: Idaho judge seals transcription of closed door IGG hearing
Brian Coberger will enter court for an arrest hearing in Lata County District Court. (Daily News via Zach Wilkinson/Moscow Pullman AP)
Barlow said through further discovery, the FBI “accepted” to use MyHeritage and GedMatch (without “Pro”).
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The FBI declined to comment and instead pointed to ADA County Judge Steven Hippler's February 17th order.
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Kohberger's trial is scheduled to begin on August 11th, and if convicted he could face the death penalty.
Fox News Digital has requested Kohberger's attorney for comment.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, murder, national crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
