Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger appears in Boise courthouse

Bryan Kohberger, the 29-year-old criminology graduate student accused of murdering four University of Idaho students days before Thanksgiving 2022, is preparing to appear in a new court for the first time after his successful push for a change of venue.

Thursday's hearing is the first in Boise and is expected to be a small-scale event to familiarize the new judge with the case, but it marks the beginning of a new phase in the trial of Kohberger, who could face the death penalty if convicted.

While experts do not expect any surprises, they do assume that the new judge will make his presence clear to both sides when he takes over the case.

MURDER SUSPECTED IDAHO STUDENT BRYAN KOHBERGER ASKS NEW JUDGE FOR EXCEPTION TO CLEAN COURT ROOM

“It's just a follow-up because the case has been postponed and probably just to let the parties know what he expects going forward,” said Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based criminal defense attorney who is not involved in the case.

Judge Steven Hippler is now the presiding judge in Ada County after his counterpart in Latah County, Judge John Judge, agreed to a defense request for a change of venue.

“The judge will introduce himself,” said David Gelman, a New Jersey criminal defense attorney who has followed the case closely. “You need to familiarize yourself with everything and find out what motions still need to be filed.”

“I'm sure they already have a good idea, but when you change the venue, it's chaotic. I'm not saying it resets everything, but it definitely makes the case go back a few steps.”

New Idaho judge in Bryan Kohberger trial familiar with brutal murder cases

Bryan Kohberger is in the custody of the Ada County Sheriff's Office, according to online jail records. With the transfer came a new booking photo taken upon his arrival earlier this month. (Ada County Sheriff's Office)

The previous judge in the case entered a not guilty plea to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated burglary at Kohberger's arraignment last year.

His lawyers have asked the court to rule out the possibility of the death penalty.

A death penalty hearing is scheduled for November 7, nearly two years after the murders.

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Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend Kaylee Goncalves as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and two other roommates in Goncalves' final Instagram post, shared a day before the stabbing of the four students. (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)

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According to prosecutors, around 4 a.m. on November 13, 2022, a man with a large knife entered an off-campus home and killed four students inside – Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

When investigators searched the bloody crime scene, they found a sheath for a Ka-Bar knife among Mogens' remains, according to court documents. Inside the sheath, they say, they found a DNA sample that led them to Kohberger.

Bryan Kohberger arrives at the Monroe County Courthouse in Pennsylvania before an extradition hearing. (Image credit: Fox News Digital)

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Other evidence presented in court includes cell phone recordings and videos showing the movements of his car.

Two other roommates were not attacked, and prosecutors said one of them froze in place as she watched a masked man leave the house through the back door.

The trial has already been postponed and is scheduled to begin in June 2025.