Idaho Prosecutors Reject Bryan Kohberger’s Motions to Suppress Evidence
Idaho prosecutors have rejected a series of motions filed by Bryan Kohberger’s defense team to suppress evidence gathered in connection with his arrest in the slaying of four University of Idaho students. Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student, is facing four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge in connection with the November 2022 murders.
The defense team, led by Anne Taylor, Jay Logsdon, and Elisa Massoth, had sought to have DNA evidence, searches on Kohberger’s devices and digital accounts, his car, his person, and his parents’ house suppressed. However, prosecutors argued that the warrants were based on substantial probable cause and asked the judge to reject the defense motions and allow the warrants to stand.
The victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were all 20 years old and were found stabbed to death in an off-campus home near the University of Idaho campus. Kohberger was arrested weeks later at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania and is being held without bail.
The defense team is seeking a Franks hearing, which would allow them to challenge the warrants and potentially have the evidence thrown out. However, such hearings are rarely granted and even more rarely successful, according to experts.
Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin next year, and he could face the death penalty if convicted.
