Bryan Kohberger faces trial over the brutal stabbing of four Idaho students

In the United States, Bryan Kohberger has been charged with the murder of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The alleged stabbings occurred on November 13, 2022, during a late-night home invasion, with investigators stating that the crime took place between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. Kohberger, a 30-year-old former PhD student, was arrested on December 30, 2022, after police linked him through DNA evidence collected from a knife sheath found near one of the victims. Prosecutors have presented a series of compelling pieces of evidence, including Kohberger's Amazon shopping history, where he reportedly purchased a Ka-Bar knife and sheath months before the murders. This evidence, along with DNA found at the crime scene, has led authorities to believe that Kohberger is responsible for the homicides. Additionally, a selfie taken by Kohberger just hours after the killings shows him smiling and giving a thumbs up, which prosecutors intend to use as a visual to support eyewitness descriptions of him. One surviving roommate from the scene of the crime, identified as "DM" in court documents, reported seeing an intruder that morning who had prominent eyebrows and was wearing dark clothing. This eyewitness account is crucial, as her description aligns with that of Kohberger, and the defense has argued fiercely against the reliability of her testimony, including challenging the need to focus on his eyebrows in court. The defense is attempting to prevent certain evidence, including the selfie and the Amazon purchases, from being admitted during the trial scheduled to begin in August 2025. The case has gained significant media attention and has sparked discussions about the depth of evidence necessary for a conviction in such serious crimes. The proceedings have featured detailed court filings from both the prosecution and defense, setting the stage for what many anticipate will be a high-profile trial as both sides prepare to argue their case regarding the evidence presented. Kohberger is facing multiple first-degree murder charges and a single felony burglary charge, and conviction could lead to the death penalty, making the stakes significantly high for all involved.