Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho student murders, faced intense scrutiny from his defense team as DNA experts were grilled in court on Friday.
The defense aims to challenge the evidence used to indict Kohberger in connection with a quadruple stabbing.
Entering the courtroom with a smile, the 28-year-old participated in a series of oral arguments on motions filed by both sides in the case. Judge John Judge, at an arraignment in May, entered not guilty pleas on all charges on Kohberger's behalf.
Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor is seeking additional discovery disclosures in the case, specifically requesting details about the DNA of three unidentified males found at the off-campus rental home where the victims frequently hosted parties and socialized near the University of Idaho's Greek Row.
Taylor's team also attempted to discredit the prosecution's DNA evidence by presenting witness testimony. In June, prosecutors alleged that a cheek swab sample, more specific than the potential genetic genealogy evidence questioned by the defense, taken from Kohberger, is a "statistical match" to a sample found on a knife sheath discovered under victim Madison Mogen's body at the crime scene.
Expert witnesses were called by the defense to testify on the subject of genetic genealogy research and its application in investigations. However, the defense did not provide prosecutors with copies of the PowerPoint presentations they intended to use. As a result, the judge ruled that prosecutors could cross-examine the witnesses at a later date.
One of the experts, Dr. Leah Larkin, a genetic genealogist, highlighted the limitations of her field during her testimony, emphasizing that there is never a 100% match.
If convicted in the killings of 21-year-olds Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, as well as 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, Kohberger could potentially face the death penalty under Idaho law. The murders occurred around 4 a.m. on November 13, 2022, according to the Moscow, Idaho police.
Three of the victims resided in a rental house just steps away from the University of Idaho campus, while Chapin, Kernodle's boyfriend, lived across the street and was staying the night.
During the hearing, the defense's motion to stay the proceedings, based on alleged grand jury irregularities, was denied by the judge. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 2, with the court expecting to call 1,000 prospective jurors. It is anticipated to last until November 17.
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