Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Judge grants move, trial now 300 miles away
BOISE, Idaho — Latah County Superior Court 2nd District Judge John Judge announced Thursday, Sept. 12, his approval to relocate the trial for Bryan Kohberger, 29, the man charged with the fatal stabbings of four University of Idaho students, to Boise, Idaho.
The decision to transfer the trial, set for June 2025, comes after Judge John Judge ruled that extensive media coverage, misinformation on social media and public statements cast doubt on Kohberger’s ability to receive a fair trial in Moscow.
Judge also ordered Kohberger’s transfer to Ada County.
Kohberger’s defense team requested the change of venue, citing the small university town’s strong emotions and pervasive media attention, which they argued would make it difficult to find an impartial jury.
Prosecutors opposed the move, suggesting that a larger jury pool and thorough questioning could mitigate any potential bias. They also pointed to the inconvenience for attorneys, witnesses, and victims’ families, who would now have to travel to Boise for the trial.
In his ruling, Judge noted that the Ada County Courthouse in Boise is better equipped than Latah County’s courthouse, with larger courtrooms, space for overflow seating and enhanced security measures.
Kohberger, a former Washington State University criminal justice student, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The students were killed during the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, in a rental home near the University of Idaho campus.
Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
Authorities allege that Kohberger’s cellphone data and surveillance footage place him near the victims’ neighborhood multiple times before the killings and that his DNA was found at the crime scene.
Kohberger, who was arrested six weeks after the murders at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania, remains in custody.
His trial will now be overseen by 4th District Judge Steven Hippler at the Ada County Courthouse.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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