No Evidence Places Bryan Kohberger at Scene of Idaho Murders: Defense (2024)

By

CHRIS SPARGO

First Published:

3:43 PM PDT, July 31, 2024

Bryan Kohberger and his defense team are disputing two key pieces of evidence from the probable cause affidavit filed by police in his murder case.

In a 319-page memorandum in support of venue change filed in Lattah County Court last week, a jury consultant hired by Kohberger's public defender Anne Taylor says that the defense will challenge the evidence that police claim places Kohberger at the scene of the murders.

Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder andcould face the death penaltyif found guilty of those charges. He has plead not guilty to all charges.

Bryan Edelman, the jury consultant brought on by Taylor, writes that media coverage reporting the claim by police in the probable cause affidavit that there is evidence of Kohbeger being near the scene of the murders is one of the reasons why a change of venue is needed in the case.

"These findings are particularly concerning given that these media items—which came from the probable cause affidavit released to the media—were significantly related to prejudgment. Thisputs the defendant at a distinct disadvantage at the start of trial. Many of the incriminating details widely reported are in dispute including the claim that Kohberger’s vehicle was placed near the crime scene by video footage and cell tower data.," Edelman says.

Edelman says that "after these details were mentioned repeatedlyin the coverage for over 16 months, the prosecution stated during a hearing that several of themwere false or potentially inadmissible." and that as a result of this "the burden of proof has shifted to thedefendant."

He then adds: "Kohberger must change jurors’ preexisting opinions regarding the evidence against himwhich have developed from extensive exposure to biased media coverage."

The memorandum is the culmination of a controversial survey conducted by the defense in Lattah and some of its surrounding counties in Idaho.

This same survey was the focus of an emergency hearing back in April after prosecutors filed a motion arguing that the questions being asked to potential jurors violated thenondissemination orderin the case.

Prosecutors specifically objected to two of the questions respondents were asked in the survey, including whether or not they believed Kohberger had stalked the four individuals found dead in their Moscow home back in November 2022Madison Mogen, 21;Kaylee Goncalves, 21;Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

The other question causing concern was when those polled were asked if they had heard that Kohberger followed any of the victims on social media, according to the motion filed by prosecutors.

It is not the question that violated the order, according to prosecutors, but rather when the individuals asking the question allegedly informed respondents that no evidence existed to support claims that Kohberger surveilled his alleged victims' off-campus home in Moscow or followed any of the four on social media.

Prosecutor Bill Thompson went after Edelman for his decision to include the stalking question while questioning him in court back in April, saying the claim was false and then adding: "Your surveyors put this false information into the minds of the people who were asked this question, and who may not have previously heard it.”

Edelman said that because this claim came from media reports, he did not believe this information violated the non-dissemination order.

“My focus is to assess whether or not media coverage is prejudicial, and whether or not it has led to opinions,” Edelman said in response to Thompson's question. “It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not.”

Those surveyed were also asked if they had read, seen or heard the following:

  • Bryan Kohberger said that he wasout driving alone on the night of themurders.
  • DNA found on the knife sheath waslater matched to Bryan Kohberger.
  • University students in Moscow andtheir parents lived in fear untilBryan Kohberger was arrested forthe murders.
  • Police found a knife sheath on thebed next to one of the victims.
  • Bryan Kohberger owns the sametype of car recorded on videodriving in the neighborhood wherethe killings occurred.
  • Cell phone tower data show thatBryan Kohberger made severaltrips near the victims’ home in themonths before the killings.

The survey then takes those who have heard, read or seen these stories and asks if they believe Kohberger is guilty as well as if they believe he would have a hard time convincing them he was not guilty.

Those who have heard or read the allegedly false claim that Kohbeger stalked his victims were the most likely to believe he was guilty (81%) as well as the most likely to believe he would have a hard time convincing others he is not guilty (62%), according to the survey.

The judge ultimately sided with Taylor back in April and allowed the defense to continue the survey in additional areas including Ada County, where Taylor is now asking the judge to move the trial in her memorandum

In addition to her argument that it is not possible to get an impartial jury in Lattah County, Taylor says that Ada County is also a better choice because it has a larger court facility with more security, two things which she says are necessary given the national fascination with her client's case.

That county is home to the state capitol of Boise, and recently hosted two high-profile murder trials when both Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were tried in the county courthouse.

Kohberger is set to stand trial in June 2025 regardless of the county.

Various media outlets reported in the weeks after his arrest back in January 2023 that Kohberger had stalked one or more of the victims, each citing unnamed sources.

Inside Edition Digital could not confirm that Kohberger stalked any of the four victims in the Idaho murders case or find evidence that he followed any of the four on social media.

The case has been in the national spotlight since Nov. 13, 2022, when the four students were massacred at their home in the middle of the night.

Authorities arrested Washington State University doctoral candidate Kohberger two months later at his parents' home in rural Pennsylvania.

Soon after his arrest, a judge signed a non-dissemination order in the case, barring any member of law enforcement or lawyer involved in the case from speaking to the media ahead of the trial.

Related Stories

Bryan Kohberger Did Not Stalk Murder Victims, Say Lawyers

Kohberger Cut From Cop Program Over Female Complaints: School Admin

Bryan Kohberger Says He Was Driving Alone on Night of College Murders

Did Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Have Obsession With One of the Victims?Crime

No Evidence Places Bryan Kohberger at Scene of Idaho Murders: Defense (2024)

References

Top Articles
4 Idaho Students Were Killed and Police Say They Have No Idea What Happened
Idaho Grandmother's Financial Crimes Revealed After Husband's Death in Boating Accident | Oxygen Official Site
Best Boxing Gyms Near Me
Greater Keene Men's Softball
Miramar Water Utility
Camila Cabello Wikifeet
Step 2 Score Release Thread
Cbs Week 10 Trade Value Chart
Discover the Hidden Gems of Greenbush MI: A Charming Lakeside Retreat - 200smichigan.com (UPDATE 👍)
Hidden Goblin Stash Failed Perception
Sir Mo Farah says 'sport saved me' after finishing final race of illustrious career at Great North Run
United Center Section 305
Aita For Helping My Girlfriend Get Over Her Trauma
Espn Major League Baseball Standings
Terraria Melee Build Progression Guide & Best Class Loadouts
What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food?
Savage Model 110 Serial Number Lookup
Cool Math Games Unblocked 76
Skyward Weatherford Isd Login
159 Joseph St, East Brunswick Township, NJ 08816 - MLS 2503534R - Coldwell Banker
Gncc Live Timing And Scoring
Stephjc Forum
Hyb Urban Dictionary
Walmart Com Careers Jobs
Days Till Dec 6
Female Same Size Vore Thread
Used Safari Condo Alto R1723 For Sale
Gay Cest Com
Chatzy Spanking
Az511 Twitter
Week 8 – Quarter 1 Matatag DLL Daily Lesson Logs | September 16 – 20, 2024 DLL
Fortnite Fap Hero
Oh The Pawsibilities Salon & Stay Plano
Sprinter Tyrone's Unblocked Games
Everything to know on series 3 of ITV's The Tower starring Gemma Whelan
Freeway Insurance Actress
Dramacool Love In Contract
Trailmaster Fahrwerk - nivatechnik.de
Publix – Supermarkt mit ökologischem Gewissen und exzellentem Service
Texas State Final Grades
Deborah Clearbranch Psychologist Georgia
Danville Va Active Warrant List
How to Survive (and Succeed!) in a Fast-Paced Environment | Exec Learn
Baywatch 2017 123Movies
Craigslist Free Stuff Columbus Ga
Bretnie Hall Ashland Ky
Centurylink Outage Map Mesa Az
Mike Huckabee Bio, Age, Wife, Fox News, Net Worth, Salary
The Eye Doctors North Topeka
Henry Ford Connect Email
Kaiju Universe: Best Monster Tier List (January 2024) - Item Level Gaming
Opsahl Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory Yankton
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6299

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.