Prosecutors say Kohberger's defense will argue evidence was planted in Idaho student murders case
Share and Follow


BOISE, Idaho (AP) Prosecutors say Bryan Kohberger’s defense team will argue at his murder trial that someone else could have planted a knife sheath with Kohberger’s DNA at the home where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson made the claim in a motion filed in the case this week.

“Instead of challenging the conclusion that the DNA on the knife sheath belonged to Defendant, the defense’s expert disclosures reveal that the defense plans to argue the DNA on the knife sheath does not prove Defendant was ever at the crime scene and the knife sheath itself could have been planted by the real perpetrator,” Thompson wrote.

Many of the court documents detailing both sides’ plans for expert witnesses have been sealed, so it’s not currently possible to compare Thompson’s characterization of the defense plans against the defense team’s own court filings.

Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, students who were killed in the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home near their campus in Moscow, Idaho.

When asked to enter a plea last year, Kohberger stood silent, prompting a judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.

Prosecutors have said they matched “touch DNA” found on a knife sheath near one of the victims to DNA taken from Kohberger using investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG techniques. Defense attorney Anne Taylor pushed to have the investigative genetic genealogy thrown out of the case, but 4th District Judge Steven Hippler denied that request last month.

Still, prosecutors say they don’t intend to refer to the IGG evidence during the trial and will instead tell jurors that a “tip” led them to Kohberger as a suspect.

Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin August 11 and expected to last more than three months.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Portland officer reassigned after video surfaces with comments about Renee Nicole Good: 'Criminals get shot'

Portland Officer Reassigned Following Release of Video with Remarks on Renee Nicole Good: ‘Criminals Get Shot

A Portland police officer has been reassigned following the circulation of a…
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider dies at 59

Country Music Mourns the Loss of Jim McBride, Iconic ‘Chattahoochee’ Songwriter, at 78

Renowned for penning country classics such as Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee,” songwriter Jim…
Chicago Bears stadium news: Indiana Governor Mike Braun says he's working hard to bring Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Makes Bold Move to Attract Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana

CHICAGO (WLS) — Indiana Governor Mike Braun is making a concerted effort…
FILE - NCAA logo displayed on the fence before an NCAA softball game between Jacksonville and FGCU, March 24, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)

15 Ex-NCAA Players Indicted in Major College Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a significant legal development, federal prosecutors have announced…
FBI searches Washington Post reporter's home as part of classified documents investigation

FBI Raids Home of Washington Post Journalist in Classified Documents Probe

In an unprecedented move highlighting the government’s intensified crackdown on information leaks,…
Todd Monken expected to join John Harbaugh’s Giants staff in Jaxson Dart boost

Todd Monken Anticipated to Strengthen John Harbaugh’s Giants Staff with Jaxson Dart Enhancement

A Baltimore connection is set to light up East Rutherford as John…
The reclusive life of Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe

Inside the Private World of Michael Jackson’s Former Wife, Debbie Rowe

Debbie Rowe, known as Michael Jackson’s former wife, has mostly kept a…
Man runs into Florida street to save two young children who wandered away from rental home

Heroic Action: Man Rescues Two Young Children from Florida Street After They Wander from Rental Home

A vigilant driver in Florida sprang into action on Sunday to rescue…