Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger Defense Team Makes Surprise Request in ‘Utterly Corrupted’ Case

The attorneys for quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger have requested a change in venue to Boise for the “utterly corrupted” case against their client, according to authorities.

In a court filing made public on July 23, the public defenders for Kohberger argued that his constitutional right to an impartial jury will be infringed upon without moving the trial out of Latah County, where the crimes took place.

In the legal brief, Anne Taylor, Kohberger’s lead public defender, said, “The publicity has been extremely pervasive in the small community of Latah County. Remediations, such as enlarging the jury pool, will not cure the problem.”

His defense team said Ada County, the state’s largest county, has “more than 10 times as many potential jurors than Latah County,” and it would give Kohberger the best chance at an impartial jury.

In November 2022, Kohberger, 29, was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University when police believe he broke into a home in Moscow, Idaho, and allegedly fatally stabbed four students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.

Kohberger was eventually identified as a suspect and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty in the case and is currently behind bars without bail.

Last month, Judge John Judge finally scheduled a trial date, which is set to begin in June 2025.

Now Judge will ultimately determine whether to grant the requested venue change elsewhere in Idaho. The arguments for the venue change will take place during a scheduled hearing on Aug. 29.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson opposes moving the trial out of Moscow.

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If Judge does grant the venue change for Kohberger’s trial, he also has the choice on whether he keeps the assignment and stays with the case. If he decides to withdraw, the Idaho Supreme Court would pick the judge to replace him.

The trial, with possible sentencing, is scheduled for 14 weeks, running from June 2 to Aug. 29, 2025.