Bryan Kohberger will stand trial in Boise for the murder of four University of Idaho students after a judge agreed to change the venue.
The 29-year-old accused murderer was expected to first face a jury in Moscow, where the killings took place.
But a judge approved his team’s request to move the trial, which will now be held at the Ada County Courthouse in the state capital.
The Idaho Supreme Court revealed the new location Thursday and also assigned a new judge to the case.
Bryan Kohberger to stand trial in Boise for murder of four University of Idaho students after judge agrees to change venue
A judge approved his team’s request to move the trial, which will now be held at the Ada County Courthouse in the state capital.
District Judge Steven Hippler will oversee the trial, which is scheduled for June 2.
The quadruple murder trial is expected to last until August 29, 2025.
Kohberger, a former Washington State University criminal justice student, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.
In his decision to agree to move the trial venue, Judge John C. Judge said: “The Latah County Courthouse itself raises important issues for a trial of this length and magnitude.”
He also cited “the extensive negative publicity surrounding Kohberger.”
Kohberger’s defense team requested a change of venue, saying high emotions in the close-knit community and constant media coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in the small college town where the killings occurred.
Prosecutors argued that any potential bias issues could be resolved by simply calling up a larger pool of potential jurors and questioning them carefully.
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