The family of Idaho victim Kaylee Goncalves has broken their silence after quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial.
In a Facebook post, Goncalves’ grieving family asked his supporters to stay with them as they predicted things would be tough in the coming months.
“I want to send a HUGE thank you to EVERYONE who supports us. We REALLY have an ARMY OF LOVE standing beside us,” the message reads.
“There are no words for what you all do for us every day. I wish I could meet you all in person, give you a hug and thank you.
“It’s going to be hard, please stay with us. We need the Goncalves Army OF LOVE every step of the way. We love you all! God bless!’
The family of Idaho victim Kaylee Goncalves has broken their silence after quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial
Kohberger had his trial postponed indefinitely this week in October when the 28-year-old appeared before a Moscow court to discuss several matters.
He was due to appear in court in the coming months in connection with the grizzly killings of four University of Idaho students, including Goncalves.
No date had been set for the future trial, which could be within months or even years.
He faces four first-degree murder charges for the November 13 murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at their off-campus home near the University of Idaho .
Kohberger was asked in court if he wanted to waive his right to a speedy trial, to which the defendant replied, “Absolutely.”
Although the prosecution was eager to resolve the case, it did not object. agree that this could be the best option this time.
The defense said they were not ready to set a new trial date.
A hearing is still scheduled for September 1, where a new trial date is expected to be discussed.
Maddie (left) and Kaylee (right) were described as ‘inseparable’
Kaylee Goncalves’ parents say they take some comfort in hoping their daughter’s will to fight her killer may have helped police arrest a suspect
Under Idaho state law, the trial will begin within six months of the indictment, which in this case took place in May, otherwise there will be an “automatic acquittal.”
The defense is expected to file appeals of the grand jury indictment, as well as motions related to courtroom cameras and witness statements, the outlet said.
This comes a week after his last court appearance, when Judge John Judge Kohberger set the Sept. 15 deadline to make the decision.
During the all-day hearing, family members of Goncalves were seen to taunt Kohberger wearing a pro-death penalty T-shirt.
At the hearing, the alleged quadruple killer’s defense team justified the alibi presented this month – that he was driving alone on the night of the murders – and addressed the techniques used by authorities to extract DNA evidence. collect.
According to investigative reporter Kevin Fixler, one of Goncalves’ relatives wore a t-shirt advertising the death penalty by firing squad during a lull in the proceedings.
(L-R) Housemates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke
In June, prosecutors indicated they would pursue the death penalty against Kohberger. The country’s struggle to obtain lethal injection drugs could mean his being put to death by firing squad.
Fixler added that Kohberger appeared “relaxed” during the proceedings, even grinning when witnesses joked about scientific terms during the hearing.
Goncalves’ family shared an emotional message on a Facebook page hours before the hearing, expressing fears that Kohberger’s trial would be delayed.
“Please pray for our family today,” they wrote. “We want to complete this process. Just the thought that it could take years is death to me.’
“We are concerned that he will waive his right to a speedy trial,” the statement read. “If he does, the trial won’t start on October 2, and there’s a good chance it won’t happen for years.”
Bryan Kohberger, 28, was in court in Moscow for a status conference where his lawyers and prosecutors agreed to hold the trial date for October 2.
Although the hearing was closed to the media and the public, the victims’ families were allowed to attend via Zoom.
The defense has so far focused on investigating the process by which detectives identified Kohberger as a suspect.
Detectives relied on the use of genetic genealogy to build a profile from the DNA left on a mesh sheath at the scene to build the case.
The FBI tracked down Kohberger by tracing his distant relatives through databases formed using this process – then secretly collected a sample of his father’s DNA to confirm his identity.
Police said DNA found on a knife sheath left at the Idaho murder scene is a “statistical match” to a cheek swab taken from the suspect after his arrest.
A DNA sample left on the casing is “at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual chosen at random from the general population is the source is,” the prosecutors said in the file.
In previous hearings, prosecutors have insisted that Kohberger provide witnesses to support his alibi.
His defense said that “there is no specific witness at this time who can say exactly where Kohberger was” on the night of the murders.
“He was out and driving in the late night and early morning hours of November 12 to 13, 2022,” lawyers said, adding that he “does not claim to be at a specific location at any specific time.”
Prosecutors have demanded more evidence to prove his alibi, saying “driving in the area” does not exonerate him and instead puts him at the scene.
A white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra seen in the area on CCTV footage could be used as key evidence in the upcoming trial
A law enforcement source claims the scabbard found at the crime scene matches a 7-inch knife sold by KA-BAR. Police said DNA found on knife sheath is a ‘statistical match’ to Kohberger’s cheek swab
Kohberger’s lawyers claim he had a habit of going out alone at night, which he did on the night of the murders.
His team has also called for prosecutors to be forced to disclose the DNA profiles they will use in court.
The defense has also filed a request to postpone the court proceedings to allow time to investigate potential procedural issues with the grand jury, which indicted him in May.
Prosecutors have also responded with a request that DNA profiles be kept protected, while also filing motions on issues in the timeline of Kohberger’s upcoming trial.
Prosecutors will collect a slew of evidence about the alleged crimes.
Aside from the DNA, a key piece of evidence is Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra car, which was reportedly seen on CCTV footage in the area.
One of the surviving housemates who was not attacked also said she saw the killer and that he had “bushy eyebrows.”