Bryan Kohberger judge announces new location for Idaho murders trial
Bryan Kohberger will be tried in Boise for the murders of four University of Idaho students after a judge agreed to a change of venue.
The 29-year-old murder suspect was first scheduled to appear before a jury in Moscow, where the killings took place.
But a judge granted his team’s request to move the trial, which will now take place at the Ada County Courthouse in the state capital.
The Idaho Supreme Court announced the new venue and appointed a new judge for the case on Thursday.
Bryan Kohberger will be tried in Boise for the murders of four University of Idaho students after a judge agreed to a change of venue
A judge has approved his team’s request to move the trial, which will now take place at the Ada County Courthouse in the state capital
District Judge Steven Hippler will oversee the trial, which is scheduled for June 2.
The trial for the quadruple murder is expected to last until August 29, 2025.
Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University, is accused of four counts of murder, killing Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.
In his decision to move the trial’s location, Judge John C. Judge said, “The Latah County courthouse itself raises significant problems for a trial of this length and magnitude.”
He also mentioned “the extensive negative publicity surrounding Kohberger.”
Kohberger’s defense team wanted the case moved elsewhere, arguing that the strong emotions in the tight-knit community and the constant media coverage made it impossible to find an impartial jury in the small college town where the murders took place.
Prosecutors argued that any problems with potential bias could be resolved by simply convening a larger group of potential jurors and questioning them carefully.
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