The Tribune's Kerri Sandaine is providing live coverage of today's hearing in the Bryan Kohberger case at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. Her updates will be posted here as they come in.
12:36 P.M.: I'm getting ready for 1 p.m. Kohberger hearing. Livestream is available on Latah County Judge John Judge's website via a YouTube channel. I'll tweet info here if watching it live is not an option for you. Reporters in the courtroom can't bring phones or computers inside.
12:42 P.M.: I think you all know the background. Bryan C. Kohberger, 29, is charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students, who were stabbed to death on Nov. 13, 2022. He grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Pullman to get a PhD in criminal justice at WSU.
12:49 P.M.: Kohberger was arrested at his family home in late 2022. He remains in custody of the Latah County Jail in Moscow after pleading not guilty to the charges. Prosecutor Bill Thompson is handling the case, and Anne Taylor, a public defender from CdA, is lead attorney for defendant.
1:07 P.M.: Here we go. Taylor is talking about access to genetic testing materials. She says items are needed to have a fair trial.
1:11 P.M.: Taylor said genetic data is linked to how Kohberger wound up on police’s radar. IGG information contains sensitive material, state says. They don’t need access to all of it, according to deputy prosecutor Jennings.
1:18 P.M.: Taylor wants permission to keep talking to Kohberger’s family. Her investigators need access to find out how Bryan’s name was first mentioned as a suspect. May not come into trial.
1:21 P.M.: Judge says he’s been through all of the info. He’s not ready to grant full access to sealed documents without motions and hearings on this issue. Pulling people into case that have no connection is his concern.
1:24 P.M.: State said from the very beginning that IGG info was not used to get the warrant for Kohberger’s arrest. Has to be sorted out, judge says, and he’s keeping an open mind. Defense needs to justify access to genetic materials.
1:28 P.M.: Next topic: Supreme Court appeal filed by Kohberger. No info on whether Supreme Court is going to hear the case. Moving on to change of venue hearing scheduling. Taylor wants it in May. State is asking for denial or setting hearing closer to trial date.
1:32 P.M.: Motion was to put everyone on notice, Taylor says. We should take care of it soon because trial is going to take a long time, and courtroom in Idaho needs to be secured, she told the judge.
1:37 P.M.: Judge says it’s a sticky situation. Changing venue is something he’s been struggling with for months. He’s not really happy about setting trial in 2025. Affects families of victims, as well as defendant. Judge says he wants to be fair and realistic.
1:40 P.M.: Thompson says end of summer this year would be OK with state. Discovery could be completed by end of August. Death penalty triggers multiple motions, he says. State has trial date suggestion, March 3, 2025.
1:45 P.M.: State proposing discovery deadlines, and a pre-trial conference week of Feb. 6, 2025. Jury questionnaires to judge in November, and then he can assess venue issues.
Taylor says death penalty case will require discovery in a timely manner, without having to fight.
1:48 P.M.: Taylor said dragging info out is difficult, not Thompson’s fault, and she needs time to examine discovery and respond. Multiple agencies involved, including Moscow PD, Idaho State Police and FBI. Public nature of case - “people don’t want to talk with us.”
1:50 P.M.: Taylor is opposed to March 3 trial date. She wants a hearing on venue in May. She says trial date is unrealistic, hoping for summer of 2025.
1:57 P.M.: Prosecutor Bill Thompson says state is handing over discovery materials as quickly as possible. Deadlines are necessary to get this case to trial, he says.
1:59 P.M.: Change of venue motion is premature, Thompson says. There’s publicity everywhere, more stories coming out of Boise than locally, he says. How it affects jurors is the main issue.
2:03 P.M.: Taylor says massive amount of media coverage has an impact on potential jurors. By May, she will have a good case for change of venue. Trial has to be held in Idaho.
2:09 P.M.: Judge says he’s curious and wants to hear more. Personally, he doesn’t want to go to another county for a lengthy trial, but he will do what’s necessary. Hearing set for 1:30 on May 14. Trial could still be March 3, 2025. Death penalty case adds a lot, judge says.
2:14 P.M.: Alibi is Kohberger was driving around on the morning of the homicides. State wants a more detailed alibi so they don’t get ambushed at trial. Taylor says it’s more than Bryan was just driving around, but she needs expert investigation on cell tower information to be done.
2:19 P.M.: Deputy Prosecutor says defense may be trying to look at discovery to form an alibi, which is not appropriate. Judge says he thought alibi was already complete, but he’s giving Kohberger until April 17 to provide more details. Hearing has ended at 2:18.
2:23 P.M.: That’s a wrap on today’s proceeding. Next hearing is at 1:30 on May 14. It will be interesting to hear change of venue arguments. Defense will likely insert a lot of the media coverage in their briefs. Appreciate you following this long thread. Over and out.
