Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger’s lawyers are asking for more time to decide if the alibi will be part of their defense strategy
- Kohberger has yet to offer any type of alibi or plea — a judge pleaded not guilty on his behalf in May
- His trial is scheduled for early October; he asked for the cameras to be banned
Idaho murder attorneys suspect Bryan Kohberger have asked for more time to decide whether or not they will submit an alibi as part of his defense.
Kohberger is charged with the murders of Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho last November.
Investigators say they found DNA on a knife sheath left at the scene that matches 99.99% to Kohberger, who was studying criminology at a nearby university at the time of the murders.
Kohberger is charged with the murders of Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho last November. He is due in court on Friday
The families of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle have been banned from speaking publicly about the case
In May, Kohberger refused to enter a plea, prompting the judge to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.
His trial in Latah County is now scheduled for October.
In their latest court documents, his attorneys asked the court for an extension of their decision on whether to present an alibi.
This is in response to a state law that requires attorneys to submit their intention to provide an alibi before a trial begins.
They say the discovery involved in the case has been ‘voluminous’ and ‘still ongoing’, and that they need more time to ‘go through’ the evidence before they finalize their defense strategy and advise. the tribunal.
Kohberger’s attorneys have asked for an extension before deciding whether or not to submit an alibi as part of their defense.
‘M. Kohberger and his defense team continue to both navigate the state-disclosed discovery and investigate the charges against Mr. Kohberger.
‘Compliance with IC. 19-519 is at least premature because going through the many pieces of information that make up the case is incomplete.
“Compliance can interfere with the disclosure of protected information. The defense needs time to make this decision and review the rules of evidence,’ public defender Anne Taylor wrote.
The judge has not yet ruled on whether or not to grant them an extension.
The Moscow, Idaho home where the four college students were killed in November. Police said DNA at the crime scene matched 99% to Kohberger
At his final hearing on Friday, Kohberger’s attorneys objected to the lifting of a gag order that prevents attorneys from speaking publicly about the case.
The family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, say it is also restricting them.
Kohberger’s team also argued that he was over-analyzed. They said the media would find a way to write negatively about him using a “blue toothbrush” and claimed the attention the case was receiving was “grotesque”.
In addition to DNA found at the scene, police linked Kohberger to the crime through his car.
A white Hyundai Elantra matching the one he drives was filmed near the crime scene in the hours leading up to and following the gruesome quadruple murders.
One of the victims’ roommates – who came face to face with the killer – also told police she recognized Kohberger’s “bushy eyebrows”.
Although Kohberger has yet to submit a plea or defense, he has still vowed to fight the case.
