According to newly released court records, Bryan Kohberger’s defense team contends that the community’s strong “mob mentality” against him warrants the trial being moved outside of Latah County. Kohberger is charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.
In a Monday filing, the defense rebutted the state’s opposition to their motion for a change of venue by introducing a defense expert’s telephone survey revealing antipathy for Kohberger among Latah County citizens.
One individual responded, “He wouldn’t remain outside for very long since there would undoubtedly be a riot and someone would bring the good ole’ lad to justice,” when asked what their thoughts would be if Kohberger was found not guilty.
Some others predicted that “they would probably find him and kill him” and “burn the courthouse down.”
The defense contended that Kohberger’s guilt would be instilled in prospective jurors because of the “often inaccurate and inflammatory” media portrayal in Latah County. According to the poll, people who were exposed to greater media coverage were more inclined to assume that Kohberger was guilty. It was also found that Latah County had the highest rate of media coverage in the state per capita.
The defense argued that moving the jury pool to nearby Nez Perce County—where inhabitants were subjected to the same media coverage as those in Latah County—would not resolve the issue, notwithstanding the state’s willingness to do so.
Rather, Kohberger’s legal team suggested relocating the trial to Ada County, which is home to Boise, the capital of Idaho. The defense study suggested that Ada County people were less emotionally invested in the case. Respondents said they would “go on with life as always” and “I think they would accept it” when asked how they would feel if Kohberger was found not guilty.
Additionally, the defense dismissed the idea of screening jurors, pointing to prior cases that demonstrate that screening is insufficient to guarantee impartiality. Another suggestion was to sequester the jury, but this would be “unnecessary and untenable.”
The defense attorneys concluded their case by stating, “It makes sense that the traumatized town of Moscow is full of deeply ingrained guilt-related prejudices.”
On August 29, the parties will argue their cases before the judge.
Prosecutors claim that Kohberger, a PhD candidate in criminology at Washington State University, fatally stabbed four students inside an off-campus home close to the University of Idaho. Kohberger is accused of four charges of first-degree murder and burglary. Nearly seven weeks had passed since Kohberger’s arrest, and his potential motivation is still unknown.
The defense has offered an alibi, but the state claims that security footage, cellphone signals, and DNA evidence have connected Kohberger to the killings.
At Kohberger’s trial, which is scheduled for June 2025, the state will seek the death penalty.