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BRYAN Kohberger’s defense has been fighting to keep DNA evidence found at the scene of the Idaho murders out of the picture – but a lawyer has said that it’s a key component in the case.
One year ago, Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20 were found slain at an off-campus apartment in Moscow, Idaho.
Kohberger was arrested after a massive manhunt on December 30, 2022, in Pennsylvania.
He is awaiting trial after being charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary stemming from the November 13, 2022 killings.
A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf in May.
Emily D. Baker, a lawyer and former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, spoke to The U.S. Sun about the Kohberger case and the key piece of evidence that could affect the case.
That key clue is DNA evidence found on a knife sheath at the scene.
Baker said the DNA is a “huge factor in this crime.”
“The defense is fighting very hard over the DNA,” Baker said.
“So 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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, it was announced on November 2 that prosecutors have until December 1 to hand over critical DNA evidence for the judge to examine.
Kohberger was identified as the murders suspect using genealogy.
Investigators used possible family connections and other DNA evidence, including from Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra seen near the scene of the crime.
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CELL PHONE RECORDS
Meanwhile, cell phone records could also prove to have a massive impact on the case.
It was Kohberger’s cell phone activity that helped investigators place him near the scene of the crime.
His phone was traced near the off-campus home 12 times in the months leading up to the murders.
Court documents revealed that Kohberger’s phone was also pinged in the area near the home once in the hours after the students were killed.
“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.
Baker previously told The U.S. Sun that the cell phone activity traced by authorities could also be used to determine a verdict, though 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.”
On top of that, Baker said 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.”
Kohberger is awaiting trial and could face the death penalty if convicted.
