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MOSCOW, Idaho – The defense of quadruple stabbing suspect Bryan Kohberger asked a court to force more disclosure during a hearing on a series of key discovery requests in the University of Idaho student murder case Tuesday.
Kohberger entered the courtroom just after 4:30 p.m. PT, dressed in a black suit and tie as he did at his last appearance — in stark contrast to the orange prison jumpsuit he wore during his first several hearings.
The 28-year-old criminologist accused of slaughtering four students at 4 a.m. on November 13, 2022, is seeking several pieces of evidence that prosecutors have not yet turned over to the defense.
However, before addressing the motions, District Judge John Judge clarified some questions related to his revised gag order in the case and warned the media that he could revoke permission to allow cameras into the courtroom.
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Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom on Tuesday during a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. (August Frank/Grandstand, Pool)
The judge referred to the recent Chad Daybell trial, when cameras were asked to leave because they focused too much on the defendant.
He said cameras in Moscow had to show a wide shot of the courtroom and not be focused strictly on Kohberger if they were to stand for the rest of the proceedings.
Anne Taylor enters the courtroom on Tuesday for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. (August Frank/Grandstand, Pool)
The materials that Kohberger’s defense is seeking include training records from three investigators, phone records and information about why the FBI increased the number of model years of a white Hyundai Elantra they were looking for in connection with the case. Kohberger’s car was initially out of range that police were publicly trying to track down, but his stocks seem similar.
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Bill Thompson walks through the courtroom for a hearing Tuesday at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. (August Frank/Grandstand, Pool)
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson countered that files on the officers need only be turned over if his office plans to rely on them to testify at trial — which he said he would not.
Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and two other roommates in Goncalves’ latest Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)
Kohberger’s defense is also asking the court to force prosecutors to turn over additional discovery materials and information about the genetic genealogy techniques researchers used before labeling Kohberger a suspect.
The hearing lasted just over half an hour, with Judge John Judge saying he would consider the arguments and make a written decision later.
Kohbeger allegedly stabbed 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in a shuttered house on King Road, steps from the University of Idaho campus.
Defendant Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a gag hearing in Latah County District Court on June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images)
Two housemates were spared in the attack, including one who told police she saw a masked man escape through the back door.
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In lawsuits, prosecutors claimed they recovered Kohberger’s DNA from a Ka-Bar knife sheath found next to Mogen’s body, but the defense countered that “there is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims.”
Prosecutors on Monday told the court and defense they intended to seek the death penalty in the case.
Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge. The process begins on October 2 and can take up to six weeks.
Bryan Kohberger was stopped by Indiana police on December 15, 2022 before being identified as a suspect in the murder of 4 University of Idaho students. (Hancock County Police Department)
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Kohberger studied for a Ph.D. in criminology from neighboring Washington State University, less than 10 miles from the crime scene. The school cut ties with him after his arrest.
He has a master’s degree in criminal justice from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
Michael Ruiz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @mikerreports
