CELL phone records that were a key clue in convicting disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh could also determine the verdict in Bryan Kohberger’s trial, a lawyer has said.

Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, earlier in 2023; Kohberger, meanwhile, is awaiting trial after being accused of the murders of four University of Idaho students.

Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20 were found slain at an off-campus apartment in Moscow, Idaho, nearly one year ago.

But an expert said that cell phone activity – a key piece of evidence in the Murdaugh case – could also be used to determine a verdict in Kohberger’s case.

Emily D. Baker, a lawyer and former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, spoke to The U.S. Sun about the Kohberger case and what fate could await him.

“There is so much that we don’t know about this case yet,” Baker shared.

Baker said that it’ll be important to hear what witnesses said to the grand jury, and what the other roommates who are in the home knew.

“I feel that that’s going to be some of the most important evidence for the case,” she said.

But she also acknowledged some of the evidence that has been made public through court documents, including Kohberger’s DNA being found at the crime scene – and his cell phone being off during the time the murders took place.

“We’ve seen that kind of evidence come up and be very impactful to the jury,” Baker said.

“Like the Murdaugh case where, you know, mysteriously, if someone who uses their phone all the time, it’s all just off during this discreet period of time – The lack of activity can also be very telling.”

Baker maintained that the existing public evidence is important but there is still so much not yet known due to the non-dissemination order and sealed court filings.

PHONE RECORDS

In both the Murdaugh and Kohberger cases, cell phones have played a large role.

For Murdaugh, he vehemently denied being at the scene of the crime – until cell phone video proved otherwise.

The video was filmed by Paul, 22, shortly before he was killed and showed Murdaugh at the family’s dog kennels.

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Ultimately, the video was the convincing factor for some jurors.

One juror, Craig Moyer, told ABC News that the cell phone video helped convict the disgraced attorney, saying he “was certain it was [Murdaugh’s] voice” in the clip.

In the Kohberger case, cell phone activity helped investigators place him near the scene of the crime.

Kohberger’s phone was pinged near the crime scene 12 times in the months leading up to the November 2022 murders.

The phone was also pinged in the area once in the hours after the killings, court documents show.

“Further review indicated that the 8458 Phone utilized cellular resources on November 13, 2022, that are consistent with the 8458 Phone leaving the area of the Kohberger Residence at approximately [9] am and traveling to Moscow, ID,” court documents stated.

“Specifically, the 8458 Phone utilized cellular resources that would provide coverage to the King Road Residence between 9:12 am and 9:21 am.”

Police identified his 8458 number after Kohberger identified the phone as his own in an August 21, 2022, police stop in Moscow, Idaho.

KOHBERGER’S ALIBI

While there is some clear evidence in Kohberger’s case, Baker pointed out that anything could happen once the trial begins.

Kohberger’s defense is fighting hard over the DNA found at the crime scene, she said.

“If for some reason, the DNA gets kept out because of how it was collected or how it was tested – and those things haven’t been ruled on yet – that could be huge because, while we saw it in the probable cause affidavit, if that doesn’t come in at trial, you have a much more tenuous circumstantial case,” Baker explained.

As far as the cell phone activity is concerned, Baker said there are many factors at play.

“We’re not talking about a densely populated city like New York. We’re talking about a much more sparsely populated area,” Baker said.

“So those cell phone towers might ping from miles away.”

These are the types of points that could come into play at a trial, according to Baker.

The lawyer also noted that Kohberger’s alibi will also be called into question.

“We know from court filings that his alibi seems to be [that] he was out driving alone at night,” Baker said.

“That is not an alibi that’s gonna help him at all.”