Idaho Prosecutors Object to Moving Trial

Idaho prosecutors have formally opposed Bryan Kohberger's request to move his trial out of Latah County, where he is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students. The objection, filed by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson and special assistant attorney general Ingrid Batey, was made public on Tuesday. Kohberger's motion seeks to relocate the trial to Ada County, approximately 300 miles away, citing concerns over potential bias in the local jury pool. In their filing, prosecutors argued that Kohberger's survey of prospective jurors from Latah, Ada, Canyon, and Bannock Counties did not provide sufficient justification for a venue change. They contended that the survey results indicated widespread awareness of the case across Idaho, undermining Kohberger's claim that the Latah County jury pool had been "utterly corrupted" by media coverage. The prosecutors emphasized that the high recognition of the case among respondents was consistent across all surveyed counties. Kohberger is accused of breaking into a home in Moscow, Idaho, at 4 a.m. and fatally attacking the four students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—who were reportedly asleep at the time. Each victim suffered multiple stab wounds from a large knife. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty. In related news, the University of Idaho announced plans to honor the victims with a new installation during a ceremony scheduled for August 21.