Why Are Certain Words and Phrases Banned at Bryan Kohberger's Trial?
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, appeared in court Wednesday, April 9, for a hearing on what evidence could be admitted at his upcoming trial.
During the hearing, Judge Steven Hippler ruled at the defense's request that potentially inflammatory words including "psychopath," "sociopath," and "murderer" be banned during the trial, according to ABC News and the Associated Press. However, he did leave open the possibility of using the word "murderer" during closing arguments.
The defense also attempted to restrict the phrases "touch DNA" and "contact DNA," claiming that the jury may be misled, but Hippler denied those requests, saying that doing so would amount to policing experts, ABC News reports.
Kohberger is accused of killing Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20. The four were brutally stabbed to death in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, at an off-campus residence in Moscow, near the University of Idaho. Two other female roommates were home during the attack but were not harmed.
Related: Idaho Murders Timeline: Everything to Know About the Case
The 30-year-old, who was arrested in December 2022, was allegedly linked to the crime scene by DNA recovered from a knife sheath and cell phone pings, per a probable cause affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE. Prosecutors are hoping to include DNA evidence from the sheath at trial, something Kohberger's attorneys have sought to block.
Prosecutors have argued that Kohberger bought a KA-BAR knife — believed by authorities to be the missing murder weapon — a sheath and a sharpener on Amazon months prior to the slayings, ABC News reports.
The defense claimed that purchase could be linked back to anyone with access to his account. Hippler said during Wednesday's hearing that he did not believe Kohberger's "click data" should be excluded as evidence, per CBS News.
Also discussed during Wednesday's hearing was the defense's request that Kohberger's family attend the trial, even though prosecutors listed them as potential witnesses, according to the AP. Hippler said he would issue a ruling at a later time.
Related: Bryan Kohberger Defense Attorney Argues Reason for His 'Piercing Stare' — and Why Jury May Hold That Against Him
'I can only imagine that the family of Mr. Kohberger is devastated by these things. It's nothing that they did, and their ability to be here to see the trial is important,' Hippler said, per the AP.
Kohberger's defense team is also trying to keep the death penalty off the table by possibly arguing that he is on the autism spectrum. The defense was also hoping to block testimony from an alleged eyewitness whom prosecutors believe would identify Kohberger as the killer due to his "bushy" eyebrows.
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In a motion laying out his alibi, Kohberger's lawyer, Anne Taylor, said the suspect was out driving by himself on the night of the murders but that he did not kill the four victims.
Kohberger's trial is expected to begin on Aug. 11 in Ada County, Idaho. Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of burglary. A judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger's behalf following his indictment in May 2023.
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