Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger Defense Claims DNA Possibly Planted, Raises Questions About 3 Other Male Genetic Samples Found at Crime Scene

Idaho prosecutors have dismissed the defense's assertion that DNA could potentially have been planted at the quadruple murder scene at the University of Idaho, according to authorities.

Accused killer Bryan Kohberger’s attorneys previously asked the prosecution for more information on the Investigative Genetic Geneaolgy (IGG) analyses used to identify the defendant, according to ABC News.

Kohberger’s defense also raised doubts about the strength of the evidence and the investigators’ “objectivity,” possibly implying that the DNA found at the crime scene could have been planted there, according to ABC News.

As Front Page Detectives previously reported, 28-year-old Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University when police believe he broke into a home in Moscow, Idaho, and fatally stabbed four students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20 — in November 2022.

In a court filing on July 17, prosecutors said the defense’s claims are simply not credible.

Latah County prosecutors wrote, “The State is at a loss as to how that theory supports a claim that the lGG information is material to the preparation of his defense,” according to ABC News.

They added, “If Defendant wishes to explore the theory that his DNA was planted on the Ka-Bar knife sheath, he is free to do so. But the family tree created by the FBI has no relevance to that theory.”

In a court filing in June, Kohberger's legal team requested further details about the genealogical "family tree" that prosecutors acquired. Additionally, they brought up the discovery of three extra male DNA samples discovered at the crime scene and demanded clarification on the methods used by prosecutors to link a car to Kohberger at the scene.

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Kohberger’s legal team said, “The Defense is to guess whether the State focused its investigation on Mr. Kohberger via a bizarrely complex DNA tree experiment or through its faulty identification of the vehicle involved in this case,” ABC News reported.

Prosecutors stated in their court filing on July 17 that even if Kohberger’s defense intends to argue that the process was “rigged,” it would be irrelevant since they do not plan on presenting the genetic genealogy information during the trial.

Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors have announced their intent to pursue the death penalty, as Front Page Detectives previously reported.

Kohberger remains jailed without bail and is due back in court on August 18.