Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho murders case, appeared in court on Thursday as his defense team argued a motion to dismiss the charges against him. However, their appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court was denied, with no reasoning provided. Kohberger’s attorneys claimed that their client was improperly indicted on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. Prosecutors argued that they must reach an indictment based on guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, rather than probable cause. The Idaho Supreme Court’s one-page ruling did not offer any explanation for their denial, effectively closing the matter.
Kohberger’s attempt to delay the proceedings by appealing one of the judge’s decisions was also rejected. He had hoped that the supreme court would overturn the judge’s ruling not to dismiss the indictment. Kohberger, a 29-year-old criminology Ph.D. student from Pennsylvania, is accused of entering an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, and fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students with a large knife on November 13, 2022. Despite Kohberger’s lead defense attorney, Anne Taylor, requesting a trial delay until at least 2025, the judge has not yet scheduled a trial date and denied Taylor’s motion to dismiss the indictment.
The murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin shocked the nation in November 2022. A surviving housemate witnessed a masked man leaving the scene after hearing sounds of a struggle, but the police were not notified until the following day. It took authorities over six weeks to apprehend a suspect, eventually arresting Kohberger at his parents’ house in Pennsylvania after an extensive investigation involving the FBI and multiple police departments across states.
Kohberger’s arraignment in May saw Judge enter not guilty pleas on his behalf. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty. Originally expected to last six weeks, the trial is now projected to extend between 12 to 15 weeks, although a start date has not been set yet.
This case has captured national attention due to its tragic nature and the potential consequences for the defendant. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public will be closely watching to see how justice is served for the victims and their families.
