Attorneys Seek Change of Venue for Murder Trial of Bryan Kohberger, Citing Pretrial Publicity
Feb 05, 11:00 AM
Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in late 2022, have requested a change of venue for his upcoming trial. Kohberger's lead public defender, Anne Taylor, filed a motion this week, asserting that her client cannot receive a fair trial in Latah County, where the killings took place.
Taylor highlighted several key factors that she believes make it impossible to impanel an impartial jury in Latah County. These factors include the extensive and inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Kohberger in the media, the small size of the community, the sensationalized nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges he faces.
"A fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces," Taylor wrote in the motion.
Bryan Kohberger, 29, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, is facing four counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. The gruesome murders occurred at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors have indicated their intention to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, on the other hand, opposes the request for a change of venue. He argued that Latah County deserves the opportunity to seat a jury since the crimes occurred within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, Thompson contended that relocating the trial to another location would have no substantial impact on potential jurors' familiarity with the case. The case has already gained national and international notoriety, drawing attention far beyond the boundaries of Moscow and Latah County.
"It's not Moscow, it's not Latah County — it's everywhere," Thompson stated. "So I don't think that a change of venue is going to solve any of these problems."
The decision regarding the change of venue request will ultimately rest with Judge John Judge of Idaho's 2nd Judicial District in Latah County. A hearing to evaluate the arguments from both sides is expected to be scheduled, with Taylor requesting that it takes place no earlier than the end of April.
As this high-profile murder case unfolds, the question of whether a change of venue is warranted remains a matter of legal debate. The court will have to weigh the arguments presented by the defense, who contend that a fair trial is unattainable in the local community due to extensive pretrial publicity, against the prosecution's assertion that the case's widespread notoriety transcends geographical boundaries. The final decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of Bryan Kohberger's trial and its impact on the community where the tragic events took place.
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Taylor highlighted several key factors that she believes make it impossible to impanel an impartial jury in Latah County. These factors include the extensive and inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Kohberger in the media, the small size of the community, the sensationalized nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges he faces.
"A fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces," Taylor wrote in the motion.
Bryan Kohberger, 29, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, is facing four counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. The gruesome murders occurred at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors have indicated their intention to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, on the other hand, opposes the request for a change of venue. He argued that Latah County deserves the opportunity to seat a jury since the crimes occurred within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, Thompson contended that relocating the trial to another location would have no substantial impact on potential jurors' familiarity with the case. The case has already gained national and international notoriety, drawing attention far beyond the boundaries of Moscow and Latah County.
"It's not Moscow, it's not Latah County — it's everywhere," Thompson stated. "So I don't think that a change of venue is going to solve any of these problems."
The decision regarding the change of venue request will ultimately rest with Judge John Judge of Idaho's 2nd Judicial District in Latah County. A hearing to evaluate the arguments from both sides is expected to be scheduled, with Taylor requesting that it takes place no earlier than the end of April.
As this high-profile murder case unfolds, the question of whether a change of venue is warranted remains a matter of legal debate. The court will have to weigh the arguments presented by the defense, who contend that a fair trial is unattainable in the local community due to extensive pretrial publicity, against the prosecution's assertion that the case's widespread notoriety transcends geographical boundaries. The final decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of Bryan Kohberger's trial and its impact on the community where the tragic events took place.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com