The Idaho judge overseeing the case against student murder suspect Bryan Kohberger has announced that he will release a redacted transcript from a closed-door hearing held last week, which he initially barred the public and media from attending. The transcript concerns forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence that Kohberger’s lawyers want thrown out, arguing it violates his Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The hearing was held on January 23 and regarded IGG evidence that the FBI used to link Kohberger to the crime scene. The defense has been pushing for the evidence to be thrown out, citing concerns over the FBI’s internal policy on IGG and the potential violation of their client’s constitutional rights.
The judge, Steven Hippler, has given the prosecution and the defense 14 days to review the unredacted transcript and recommend redactions. He will then release a redacted transcript to the public.
The IGG process has been largely sealed by the court, so the release of the transcript could provide new details on how investigators pieced together the case and tracked Kohberger to his parents’ house in Pennsylvania. The defense has been seeking to make the proceedings public and have a briefing on the matter unsealed, but the judge denied their requests.