MOSCOW, Idaho — It could be over a year before the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022 goes to trial.
Bryan Kohberger appeared in a Latah County court Friday afternoon where his defense team asked for a trial date to be set in summer of 2025 – over a year and a half away.
Idaho judge John Judge denied a motion on Friday to dismiss the grand jury indictment against Kohberger and also denied a motion to appeal the indictment to the Idaho Supreme Court. The judge did not set a trial date, though defense attorneys for Kohberger argued for a summer of 2025 trial.
Four college students, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death on Nov. 13, 2022 in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in their deaths.
“I don’t want to lose sight of the seriousness of this case,” said Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson. “We’re talking about a quadruple homicide under Idaho’s law, not only are those who were killed victims, but every single one of their immediate family members is a victim.”
Delaying the trial for too long was a concern discussed by state prosecutors and the judge, whereas the defense team expressed worries about a trial date set too soon.
State attorneys argued for a trial during the summer as to lessen the impact to the community.
“If we are going to try this case effectively, with minimal unnecessary harm or disruption for our community, it should be done during the summertime,” Thompson said.
However, Kohberger’s Attorney Anne Taylor said a trial this summer is not realistic “in any way,” given the amount of evidence. Taylor also mentioned the defense plans to file a motion for a change of venue.
“I do not believe this is a six-week trial,” said Taylor. “I believe this is more like a 12-to-15-week trial.”
The defense requested a trial set for no sooner than summer of 2025.
Taylor cited that, so far, the defense has received 51 terabytes of digital records, which she said a single terabyte is equivalent to 6.5 million document pages. Defense also cited the amount of media coverage has made it difficult to find willing witnesses or witnesses who have not yet talked to news media.
In addition, she mentioned defense has identified over 400 potential witnesses and still need to hire experts to work on the case.
The judge did not schedule a trial date at the Friday hearing, noting that he needs time to consider the arguments of the overwhelming amount of necessary evidence.
“It’s really hard for me to set something in 2025,” he said. “My heart goes out to the victims. I can’t even imagine the pain, the grief because you can’t really go forward with your life with this hanging over your head. So, I’m sorry.”