Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger’s defense team grilled DNA experts in court Friday as they aim to challenge the evidence used to indict him in connection with a quadruple stabbing.
The 28-year-old smiled on his way into court for a series of oral arguments on motions filed by both sides in the case. Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on all charges on his behalf at an arraignment in May.
Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor is also seeking additional discovery disclosures in the case, including details about the DNA of three unidentified males found at the off-campus rental home where the victims were known to host parties and socialize just steps away from the University of Idaho’s Greek Row.
Taylor’s team also sought to provide witness testimony to discredit the prosecution’s DNA evidence – although prosecutors in June alleged that a cheek swab sample, more specific than potential genetic genealogy evidence the defense has called into question – taken from Kohberger is a “statistical match” to a sample taken off a knife sheath left under victim Madison Mogen’s body at the crime scene.
IDAHO PROSECUTOR URGES JUDGE TO DENY BRYAN KOHBERGER’S LATEST ATTEMPT TO ‘BUY MORE TIME’
Bryan Kohberger looks on while in the courtroom at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (August Frank/ Lewiston Tribune)
She called expert witnesses to testify on the subject of genetic genealogy research and how it can be used in investigations – apparently without providing prosecutors a copy of the PowerPoint presentations they planned to use. So the judge said prosecutors could cross-examine the witnesses at a later date.
One expert, Dr. Leah Larkin, a genetic genealogist, testified on the limitations of her field, warning that there is never a 100% match.
Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (August Frank/ Lewiston Tribune)
Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (August Frank/ Lewiston Tribune)
Kohberger could face the death penalty under Idaho law if convicted in the killings of 21-year-olds Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
All four were stabbed to death around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, according to police in Moscow, Idaho.
Three of the victims lived at a rental house just steps off the University of Idaho campus. Chapin, Kernodle’s boyfriend, lived across the street and was spending the night.
Anne Taylor talks to Judge John Judge during Bryan Kohberger’s hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. ( August Frank/ Lewiston Tribune)
Bill Thompson speaks during Bryan Kohberger’s hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (August Frank/ Lewiston Tribune)
During the hearing, Judge denied the defense’s motion to stay the proceedings, which they argue was made based on grand jury irregularities.
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Judge said a trial will begin on Oct. 2, and the court is expecting to call 1,000 prospective jurors. It’s expected to last until Nov. 17.
