An Idaho judge has dismissed Bryan Kohberger’s attempt to introduce an alternate suspect theory in his high-profile murder trial, dealing a blow to the defense as preparations for jury selection move forward.
Kohberger, who is charged with the November 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, is scheduled to stand trial beginning August 18 — a one-week delay from the originally expected start date of August 11. Jury selection will begin as planned on August 4, according to an amended scheduling order filed Thursday in Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District Court.
The court set aside the week of July 28–August 1 for closed-door proceedings involving attorneys and the judge.
“An amended scheduling order filed today in State v. Kohberger sets new expected dates for public jury selection and for the start of the trial,” said court spokesperson Nate Poppino.
He clarified that the delay was not due to any request by Kohberger’s legal team, but was instead an internal court decision to ensure adequate time for jury selection.
Judge Tosses Alternate Suspect Argument
In a separate decision, the judge rejected a motion by Kohberger’s attorneys to introduce the idea that someone else may have committed the murders. The defense had argued that allowing jurors to consider another possible perpetrator was essential to Kohberger’s right to a fair trial. However, the court ruled the theory lacked enough factual support to be presented to the jury at this time.
Trial Timeline and Background
Kohberger, a former criminology Ph.D. student, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental house in Moscow, Idaho.
The case has drawn national attention and faced several delays. Kohberger waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing last year, and the prosecution’s decision to seek the death penalty has further complicated proceedings.
The defense has also filed multiple motions, including a failed attempt to move the trial to a different venue due to extensive media coverage.
While the court has not specified how long the trial is expected to last, it stated proceedings will continue “until completed.”
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.
