By: Christine Coates
LATAH COUNTY, Idaho (Scripps News Boise) — Bryan Kohberger, charged with four counts of first-degree murder, will no longer go to trial this fall.
Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Latah County District Court in Moscow, Idaho. A judge overseeing the case against Kohberger, charged with killing four University of Idaho students last fall, is set to hear arguments over a gag order that largely bars attorneys and other parties in the case from speaking with news reporters. (Zach Wilkinson/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP, Pool)
In a status hearing Wednesday in Latah County, the defense for Bryan Kohberger formally waived his right to a speedy trial. The trial was set to start on October 2 with a flurry of deadlines for both the prosecution and defense in the coming weeks. No new trial date has been set.
Bryan Kohberger is facing first-degree murder charges in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, in their off-campus home in November 2022.
Judge John Judge, who is presiding over the proceedings, confirmed with the defendant that he wants to waive this right, to which Kohberger responded “Absolutely”.
Kohberger had previously requested a stay of proceedings but had not waived his right to a speedy trial.
The Prosecution offered no objections, and though stating that it preferred a resolution sooner rather than later, agreed that this was the smartest option.
At this time, the defense said they were not prepared to set a new trial date.
A hearing will still be held on September 1, as the defense is prepared to file challenges against the grand jury indictment, as well as motions regarding cameras in the courtroom and witness instructions.
A new trial date will be discussed after the September 1 hearing. Kohberger faces the death penalty if convicted.
This story was originally published on August 23, 2023, by Scripps News Boise, an E.W. Scripps Company.
