Idaho Judge Denies Evidence Suppression in Kohberger Murder Trial

A judge has denied Bryan Kohberger's motions to suppress key evidence in his murder trial for the deaths of four University of Idaho students, which complicates his defense strategy. Kohberger, accused of murdering Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022, sought to challenge DNA evidence found at the crime scene, including samples from unidentified males that did not match his own. However, Ada County Judge Steven Hippler emphasized that Kohberger's DNA was found on a knife sheath at the scene, undermining his defense claims about reasonable doubt. The judge also rejected requests to dismiss evidence obtained through forensic investigative genetic genealogy and digital records from companies like Google and Apple, ruling that investigators did not violate Kohberger's constitutional rights. Kohberger, who was a criminology Ph.D. student nearby, is scheduled to stand trial starting July 30, 2024, and could face the death penalty if convicted. The ruling marks a significant procedural win for prosecutors ahead of the high-profile trial.