Bryan Kohberger, accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, has made several pre-trial requests.
His defense plans to call over 400 witnesses and requested additional time and a cell phone investigation to build an alibi, which prosecutors opposed.
A deputy prosecutor said, “It frankly causes the state great alarm that the defense is discussing calling upwards of 400 witnesses during the innocence phase.”
The deputy prosecutor added, “when we potentially don’t have a full alibi disclosure.”
Kohberger’s lawyers also want to move the trial out of Latah County due to what they claim is excessive negative pre-trial publicity surrounding the case that could bias jurors.
They argue a fair trial isn’t possible in the small community where the crimes occurred.
Kohberger’s lead defense attorney Anne Taylor said, “A fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County.”
“Owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces,” said Taylor.
The judge scheduled hearings to decide the trial date and location, setting an April deadline for the defense to provide more alibi details.
Kohberger faces first-degree murder and burglary charges for the killings of four students in an off-campus home, and could face the death penalty if convicted.
