A judge has approved Bryan Kohberger's request to move his trial for the Idaho college murders, dealing another setback to the victims' families.
According to Daily Mail Online, Judge John C. Judge granted the change of venue motion, citing concerns about the ability to seat an impartial jury in Latah County where the killings occurred.
The decision means the Idaho Supreme Court will now determine where the trial, scheduled for June 2025, will take place. It also results in a new judge being assigned to the high-profile case. Kohberger faces four counts of murder for the November 2022 deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves.
Kohberger's lawyers argued that the extensive publicity and strong emotions in the Moscow community would make it impossible to find unbiased jurors. They claimed a survey found that 98% of Latah County residents were aware of the case, with 67% believing Kohberger is guilty.
The defense team expressed concerns about potential vigilante justice if Kohberger were acquitted in Latah County. They cited anonymous residents who allegedly told pollsters there "would likely be a riot" and someone would "do the good ole' boy justice" if Kohberger was found not guilty.
Prosecutors countered that any bias issues could be addressed through careful jury selection from a larger pool of candidates. However, Judge John C. Judge ultimately sided with the defense's position on the venue change.
The families of the murdered students had hoped the trial would remain in Moscow. The Goncalves family released a statement expressing their frustration with the decision:
The only good thing about this decision is it will be Judge Judge's last decision in this case. The family has always felt that judge Judge favors the defense and it was a common theme that whatever the defense wanted or needed they got.
This latest development adds to the delays that have angered the victims' loved ones. Some family members have accused Kohberger's team of using stalling tactics to postpone the trial, which is currently set for June 2025 but could face further delays.
In his ruling, Judge John C. Judge cited logistical issues with holding such a high-profile, lengthy trial at the Latah County courthouse. He also noted the "extensive negative publicity" surrounding Kohberger in the area.
The defense brought in media expert Todd Murphy, who testified that Latah County has received more exposure to the case than other potential venues like Ada County. Murphy explained that while national coverage may continue during the trial, local interest often spikes during pre-trial hearings.
Prosecutors maintain they can mitigate potential juror bias through expanded screening processes. However, the judge ultimately decided the change of venue was necessary to ensure a fair trial.
With the venue change granted, the Idaho Supreme Court will now determine where Kohberger's trial will be held. A new judge will also be assigned to oversee the proceedings going forward. Prosecutors have stated their intention to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Meanwhile, the defendant has maintained his innocence since his arrest in December 2022, with his attorneys expressing confidence he did not commit the crimes.
The judge's decision to move the trial represents another twist in the complex legal saga surrounding the Idaho murders case. As the new venue is selected and a different judge takes over, all parties will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the path to justice for the four slain students and their grieving families.
