Murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, the alleged killer at the University of Idaho, postponed

The murder trial of Bryan Kohberger will now take place in Boise, Idaho, after the defendant, accused of killing four college students, successfully argued that he could not get a fair trial in the small community where the tragedy occurred.

Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bevan issued a ruling Thursday moving the case from the small town of Moscow to the state capital and appointing District Judge Steven Hippler to oversee the trial, which is currently scheduled for June 2025.

Kohberger, a former doctoral student in criminology at Washington State University, will also be transferred from the Latah County Jail to the Ada County Sheriff's Office, the ruling states.

The move came after Latah County Judge John Judge on Monday granted Kohberger's request to relocate the case, arguing that potential jurors in Moscow had been exposed to too much media coverage and were too emotionally attached to the Nov. 13, 2022 massacre to fairly decide the case.

Lawyers for Kohberger, 29, said a poll of 400 local residents found that 60% believed Kohberger was guilty, 52% thought he should receive the death penalty and some said they would kill him themselves if he was found innocent; one even added that they would burn down the courthouse if he was acquitted.

Judge Judge said there was “a presumptive risk of prejudice” in imposing a jury in Latah County and ordered the case moved to a location outside of the county, leaving it to the Gem State Supreme Court to determine the new location.

Kohberger is accused of slaughtering University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen in their off-campus home.

He pleaded not guilty to four counts of premeditated murder and one count of burglary.