A relative of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves allegedly taunted Bryan Kohberger with a pro-death penalty t-shirt during his latest trial on Friday.
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 to challenge the techniques used by authorities to extract DNA evidence. to collect.
During a break in proceedings, one of Goncalves’ relatives was seen wearing a T-shirt promoting the death penalty by firing squad, according to investigative reporter Kevin Fixer.
In June, prosecutors indicated they would pursue the death penalty against Kohberger, and the country’s struggle to obtain lethal injection drugs could see him killed by firing squad.
Fixler added that Kohberger appeared “relaxed” during the proceedings, even grinning when witnesses joked about scientific terms during the hearing.
Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder for the November 13 murders of Goncalves, 21, and her friends Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at their off-campus home near the University from Idaho.
Kohberger appeared in court on Friday in a suit and tie, a move that legal experts say could be an attempt by his lawyers to humanize him before trial
In June, prosecutors indicated they would pursue the death penalty against Kohberger, who was pictured in court on Friday
A family member of Kaylee Goncalves (pictured) allegedly taunted Kohberger with a T-shirt in front of a pro firing squad during Friday’s hearing
Kohberger is charged with the murders of students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and her friend Ethan Chapin
At his final hearing on Friday, Kohberger’s lawyers presented arguments for six motions, including the state’s demand that he provide evidence of an alibi for the murders.
Prosecutors have also insisted that he provide witnesses to support his alibi, but his defense said “there is no specific witness at this time to say exactly where Mr. Kohberger was” on the night of the murders.
“He was driving during the late night and early morning hours of November 12-13, 2022,” lawyers said, adding that he “does not claim to be at a specific location at a specific time.”
Prosecutors have demanded more details about his alleged alibi, saying “driving in the area” does not exonerate him and instead puts him at the scene.
Ahead of his trial in October, both sides discussed several other points of contention at the hearing, including a request by Kohberger’s team to force prosecutors to disclose the DNA profiles they will use in court.
His defense also filed a request to postpone court proceedings to allow time to investigate potential procedural issues with the grand jury, which indicted him in May.
In addition to pushing for his alibi, prosecutors also responded with a request to protect DNA profiles, while also filing motions about issues in the timeline of Kohberger’s upcoming trial.
Kohberger’s defense says his alibi is that he was “driving alone” the night of the murders, which prosecutors say does not exonerate him and argued that it puts him at the scene
Kohberger watches Judge John Judge during the hearing on Friday, August 18, 2023
No motive has been found for the killings, which stunned the nation and left investigators baffled as they took more than a month to make an arrest. In the photo: Kernodle and Mogen
Kohberger wore a suit to Friday’s hearing, an unusual move considering he would normally be in a prison uniform, which legal experts say is an attempt by his team of lawyers to humanize him amid a flurry of public interest in the case.
Genetic genealogy surrounding the DNA evidence in the case was one of the main issues heard, with a member of Kohberger’s defense team spending about 30 minutes explaining why the way police find the material is crucial to its legitimacy .
A genetic genealogy expert was also called to testify, as Kohberger reportedly seemed determined and focused on the testimony before him.
His top defense attorney, Ann Taylor, exchanged words with the alleged killer, and Fixler said he smiled as witnesses joked about the spelling of scientific terms.
The taunting t-shirt of Goncalves’ relatives comes ahead of Kohberger’s long-awaited trial, in which prosecutors have said they will pursue the death penalty against him.
He has pleaded not guilty to the murders and his lawyers say he “looks forward to clearing his name.”
However, if found guilty, he could face a firing squad after Republican lawmaker Rep. Bruce Skaug had introduced a bill that would allow the punishment in the state.
Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, a month after he allegedly killed four students at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He is pictured after his extradition on January 3, 2023
The six-bedroom, three-bedroom home where the four students lived and were murdered will be demolished after his trial
The hearing is the latest step in ongoing legal preparations for Kohberger’s trial, and prosecutors are under increasing pressure to compile their case and present it within six months, as he has not yet waived his right to a quick process.
Prosecutors will bring forward a slew of evidence about the alleged crimes, including his DNA that police say they found on a knife scabbard left at the horrific site.
Police claim the DNA matches 99.9 percent to Kohberger and his father, which may have led his defense to focus on the legitimacy of processes used by authorities to collect such material at Friday’s hearing.
The other key piece of evidence that prosecutors hope will convince a jury is Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra car, which was seen on CCTV footage in the area.
One of the surviving roommates who was not attacked also said she had seen the killer and that he had “bushy eyebrows” – another characteristic of Kohberger’s appearance.