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Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Associated Press
Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger ask for trial delay, citing in part publicity around the case
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Attorneys for a man accused of killing four University of Idaho students have asked that his trial be delayed, citing in part a recent NBC 'Dateline' special that they called prejudicial toward Bryan Kohberger and a need for additional time to prepare his defense. The filing dated Tuesday said moving forward with an August trial would infringe upon Kohberger's constitutional rights. It said attorneys need more time to review discovery, complete investigations and prepare for trial. There was no immediate ruling on the request, which comes days after the judge overseeing the case, Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler, said he wanted to identify anyone who may have violated a gag order by leaking information from the investigation to news organizations or anyone else not directly involved with the case. Hippler last week ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys to provide a list of everyone who might have had access to the previously unreported information about Kohberger's internet search history and other details that were featured in the 'Dateline' episode that aired May 9. Kohberger's attorneys raised concerns about the special and an upcoming book on the case set for release in mid-July. Their filing states the blurb for the book 'suggests that the apparent Dateline leak was not the only violation of this Court's non-dissemination order.' 'A continuance is necessary to fully investigate the leaks and to mitigate the prejudicial effects of such inflammatory pretrial publicity occurring so close to the current trial date,' the filing said. Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, is charged in the stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four were found dead in a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. A not-guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Fox News
07-05-2025
- Fox News
Judge rules death penalty will remain as possible punishment despite Bryan Kohberger's autism diagnosis
A judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors could seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger if he is found guilty of the 2022 slaying of four University of Idaho students. Judge Steven Hippler issued his decision after Kohberger's attorneys asked the court to bar the sentence due to his autism diagnosis. Prosecutors previously indicated in court filings they intended to seek the death penalty with a conviction. IDAHO JUDGE DENIES BRYAN KOHBERGER'S 'BUSHY EYEBROWS' MOTION Defense attorneys in court documents argued Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) "reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death," according to a report from The Associated Press. They added it could be considered cruel and unusual punishment, which is outlawed by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. WHAT WENT BRYAN KOHBERGER'S WAY — AND WHAT DIDN'T — AT EVIDENCE MOTIONS HEARING Hippler said Kohberger's attorneys failed to show that ASD is equivalent to an intellectual disability for death penalty exemption purposes, and there is no national consensus against subjecting individuals with ASD to capital punishment, the AP reported. "ASD may be a mitigating factor to be weighed against the aggravating factors in determining if defendant should receive the death penalty, but it is not (a) death-penalty disqualified," Hippler said. IDAHO PROSECUTORS SAY THEY WILL CALL 'A FEW' OF BRYAN KOHBERGER'S FAMILY MEMBERS TO TESTIFY AT TRIAL The 30-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, who were stabbed to death at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, at about 4 a.m. Nov. 13, 2022. Authorities have noted suspicious behavior, like Kohberger allegedly turning off his phone before driving home and changing his license plates days after the killings. However, authorities claim to have a key piece of evidence, saying they found Kohberger's DNA on a Ka-Bar knife sheath found under Mogen's body. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The former criminology Ph.D. student is also charged with felony burglary, Fox News Digital previously reported. A judge entered his not-guilty pleas in May 2023, though the trial is not expected to begin until Aug. 11. Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
