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Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Idaho murders judge rules on whether Bryan Kohberger can keep 'alternate' suspect secret
's apparent evidence pointing to an alternate killer in the murders of four University of Idaho students has been sealed, shrouding the bombshell allegations in secrecy. Judge Steven Hippler granted a request from the accused killer's defense team this week to keep its filing 'in Support of Offer of Proof RE: Alternate Perpetrators and its supporting exhibits' sealed. As it stands, the identity of this suspect or suspects and what evidence the defense has that could tie them to the brutal murders remains a mystery. It also remains to be seen whether or not the judge will allow the defense to present these claims to the jury at his capital murder trial - and so whether or not the public will ever learn the answers to those questions. Kohberger is due to go on trial this August charged with the November 13, 2022, murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in a horrific crime that shocked the nation. The suspect is accused of breaking into a three-story, off-campus home in the heart of the college town of Moscow, Idaho, and stabbing the victims to death. Two other roommates survived, with one of them coming face-to-face with the masked killer moments after the attack. Now, in an explosive 11th-hour move just three months before his trial, Kohberger's lawyers claim to have identified an alternate suspect they say could be the real killer. Based on comments made by his attorneys, the alternate suspect appears to be someone who did crop up during the initial police inquiries. In a hearing on April 9, Kohberger's lead attorney Anne Taylor told the court she had found a lead on another suspect buried among a trove of tips collected by police. She also previously revealed the defense's plans to argue Kohberger was framed by someone planting his DNA at the crime scene - and that two people must have committed the crime using two weapons. Judge Steven Hippler gave the defense a deadline of May 23 to hand over evidence to support the claims. 'Provide me with whatever actual evidence you have that supports those allegations, other than just allegations,' he said in a May 15 hearing. 'And two, provide for me how it is you believe that what you're offering is admissible. It seemed to me much of what you had put in there was fairly… potentially fairly objectionable in terms of… admissibility. So, I would like to see that.' Court records show the documents were filed by May 23 under seal. Now, the prosecution has until June 6 to respond to the claims before a court hearing is held later that month. Then, the judge will decide if the defense can present this alternate suspect at the trial. Experts told the Daily Mail that the theory could have a 'significant impact' on the trial if jurors hear it. 'Ultimately, the jury has to be unanimous… if you convince just one juror that there is a reasonable alternative suspect, he walks,' criminal defense attorney David Seltzer said. He believes the idea could provide a powerful story to counter the more technical prosecution case. Seltzer continued: 'The state's problem is it's a DNA trial, and DNA trials are boring. They're not engaging because people don't understand the science of DNA.' Kohberger was connected to the murders after his DNA was found on a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath at the scene. Prosecutors also found cellphone records placing him outside the student home multiple times prior to the murders, as well as surveillance footage showing a vehicle matching his car speeding away. For a jury, the idea of an alternate suspect 'is something you can hold on to, that here's somebody else who did the crime'. The significant move comes as the defense is also trying to delay the trial altogether - citing a recent Dateline episode that revealed bombshell new details about the case. The show revealed the suspected killer's phone records, porn choices and online searches for Ted Bundy. It also aired never-before-seen surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle fleeing the horrific crime scene on November 13, 2022. Days after the show aired, Judge Steven Hippler handed down a scathing court order saying that the release of 'sensitive information' in the episode shows that someone close to the case has 'likely' violated the gag order. He warned that this could make it more difficult to seat an impartial jury when Kohberger goes on trial for his life this August - something that those close to the victims described as 'a distraction.' The judge ordered an investigation into the leak, vowing to root out the source and hold the culprit to account. Both sides were ordered to preserve all records around the case and to hand over a list of names of everyone who might have had access to the information revealed on the show, including staff members, law enforcement officers and defense consultants. New court filings reveal that both the defense and prosecution have now handed over these records. In other filings, the defense also asked the judge to allow witnesses who may testify in the penalty phase of the trial - if Kohberger is convicted - to attend the trial phase. Typically, witnesses cannot attend a criminal trial until after they have taken the stand to prevent their testimony being shaped by what they hear. But, the defense asked that these mitigation witnesses - who will only testify if he is convicted - be excluded from this requirement. The judge has already made an exception for Kohberger's immediate family members so that they can support him inside the courtroom for every day of his high-profile trial - even before they are called to the stand to testify against him. Prosecutors plan to call some of Kohberger's family members - father Michael, mother MaryAnn and two older sisters Amanda and Melissa - as witnesses for the state. Another newly-released court order provides further information about the jury selection process. The judge revealed that, before voir dire begins - where potential jurors are questioned about their impartiality as part of the selection process - questionnaires will be distributed to and completed by jurors at the Ada County Courthouse. 'In order to maximize courtroom space and efficiency of this process, and because the distribution of questionnaires is an administrative function, observation of this process is limited to Counsel and the Defendant,' the order states. The judge plans to have eight alternate jurors - as opposed to the typical number of six - taking the full panel up to 20. Jury selection is slated to begin in late July or early August, with the trial getting underway August 11. If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Bryan Kohberger's 'toxic obsession'. New Idaho murders revelation that expert HOWARD BLUM says solves final unanswered question: What was the REAL motive?
I have written and reported on the murder of the four Moscow, Idaho college students since it happened on November 13, 2022. That is the date a masked intruder entered 1122 Kings Road just before dawn and brutally dispatched Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodel, 20 and Ethan Chapin, 20, with a hunting knife.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Kohberger attorney calls to delay trial in murder of Idaho college students in bombshell last-minute request
Defense attorneys representing quadruple homicide suspect Bryan Kohberger have filed a bombshell last-minute request to delay his upcoming trial. Kohberger, 30, was set to face a capital murder trial in August for the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20. But in a new filing, his attorneys argue that an episode of NBC's Dateline that aired earlier this month violates a gag order that has been in place since 2023. The episode had revealed new details about the killings, including the suspected killer's phone records, porn choices and online searches for Ted Bundy. It also aired never-before-seen surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle fleeing the horrific crime scene on November 13, 2022.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Judge in Bryan Kohberger trial wants to know who leaked information about Idaho student murders investigation
The judge overseeing Bryan Kohberger's upcoming quadruple-murder trial says he wants 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. Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys on Wednesday to give him a list of everyone - including staffers, law enforcement officers and defense consultants - who might have had access to the previously unreported information about Kohberger's internet search history and other details that were featured in an NBC "Dateline" episode that aired May 9. The judge said he would be open to appointing a special prosecutor to track down the leak, which likely violated a gag order that has been in place since 2023. Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at nearby 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 his behalf, and the trial is expected to start in August. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Hippler wrote in court documents that it appeared likely that someone associated with law enforcement or the prosecution team violated the court's gag order. The leak will potentially make it harder to seat an impartial jury, drawing out an already long and complicated court case and costing taxpayers more money, Hippler wrote. "Importantly such violations potentially frustrate the ability to ensure both sides receive a fair trial," he wrote. "Accordingly, the Court finds it is imperative to attempt to see that the source of such leak is identified and held to account." Hippler also ordered everyone who has worked directly or indirectly on the case to keep all records of any communications they have had with journalists or other people outside of law enforcement about Kohberger or the investigation into the killings. Hippler appeared to have discussed the matter with prosecutors and defense attorneys during a closed portion of Wednesday's pretrial hearing. But he also referenced the "Dateline" episode and the possible gag order violation during open portions of the hearing - at one point remarking that after the day the episode aired he decided to impanel additional alternate jurors for the trial. Digital data and documents obtained by "Dateline" tracked Kohberger's movements before and after the four students were killed as well as his browsing history. Later Hippler told the attorneys he expected them to file a formal request to have the matter investigated. Last week, Hippler ruled that Kohberger's immediate family members will be allowed to attend his upcoming trial, even if they might be called to testify. Hippler previously ruled that family members of the victims may attend the trial. Steve Goncalves, whose daughter was killed, attended a hearing with his wife in early April where attorneys debated what could be presented during Kohberger's trial. Steve Goncalves told "48 Hours" last year that "there's evidence to show that she awakened and tried to get out of that situation," saying "she was trapped" based on the way the bed was set up.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bryan Kohberger argues ‘alternate perpetrator' in Idaho student murders
The Brief Bryan Kohberger's defense suggested an alternate suspect in the University of Idaho student murders, with evidence due by May 23. Jury selection begins July 30, with the trial expected to be livestreamed starting August 11. A hearing on alternate perpetrator claims is set for June 18, with the state responding by June 6, and seats reserved for the surviving roommates. BOISE, Idaho - Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death, was back in court on Thursday for what was expected to be his last hearing before his trial, and his attorneys dropped one final bombshell regarding the possibility of an alternate suspect. It's been more than two and a half years since Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were murdered at an off-campus home in November 2022. Thursday's pre-trial hearing brought Kohberger one step closer to the start of his trial, slated to begin this summer. By the numbers "The plan will be to take the universe of jurors who are summoned and then scramble them," Judge Steven Hippler said. He went on to say those jurors will be assigned a number between one and 10,000. After filling out a questionnaire and going through the voir dire process, 12 jurors and eight alternate jurors will be selected to serve on this jury. "The more people who talk to the media and the more things that are in the media and not admissible — whether true or not — the more difficult it makes things," Hippler said. Perhaps the biggest detail to come out of the proceeding was talk about alternative perpetrators. What they're saying "I did, as I indicated this morning, receive the defense's proffer regarding alternate perpetrators, and that will be sealed," Hippler said. The defense has until May 23 to give him evidence that supports those allegations and information that includes how they believe what they're offering is admissible, Hippler said. The state will then have until June 6 to respond. A hearing on the matter is set for June 18. On Thursday, the judge also mentioned the two surviving roommates. "I should point out that I will reserve two seats for the two surviving roommates who are technically victims of the burglary," said Hippler. "I don't know if they have any desire to be here, I suspect not, given the way they've been treated in the media." Jury selection is scheduled to begin on July 30. It will not be livestreamed. However, as of right now, he does intend to allow the trial to be livestreamed, and that's expected to start on August 11. The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Shirah Matsuzawa. Viral TikTok warns women of convicted rapist released in Seattle Over 100 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores to close, including 8 in WA Seattle Seahawks 2025 schedule released, here are all 17 matchups Marymoor Park announces 2025 summer concert series lineup in Redmond, WA Viral TikTok captures truck break-in after Seattle Mariners game, despite police presence Bryan Kohberger back in court for pretrial hearing in Idaho students murder case 'Scared of accountability': Crowd calls out West Seattle leaders at public safety meeting FBI nabs Thurston County, WA fugitive hundreds of miles from crime scene To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
