The trial for Bryan Kohberger, accused in the tragic 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, may not commence until June 2025, as discussed by a judge and legal counsel. This schedule comes nearly three years after the shocking killings shook the quiet university community.
Judge John Judge proposed allocating two weeks for jury selection, followed by a two-month trial period, with an additional two weeks set aside for sentencing and related proceedings in the event of a conviction.
"Approximately 13 months have passed since the arraignment, and I believe we are now reaching a point of diminishing returns," remarked Judge, reflecting on the timeline discussed with attorneys last Friday.
Both defence and prosecution teams generally agreed with the proposed schedule, though a motion to relocate the trial from Moscow, Idaho—a concern due to potential prejudicial publicity—has been postponed until August.
Kohberger, formerly a criminal justice student at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, faces four murder charges in connection with the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. The victims were found deceased in a rental house near the University of Idaho campus on November 13, 2022.
Following a six-week manhunt, Kohberger was apprehended at his parents' residence in Pennsylvania during winter break. Authorities linked him to the crime scene through DNA evidence on a knife sheath, surveillance footage, and cell phone records.
In court filings, Kohberger's defence maintains he was driving alone on the night of the killings, a routine activity for him, and plans to present evidence showing he did not travel east of the main road connecting Pullman and Moscow that fateful night.
Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.