The University of Idaho has announced plans to demolish a house, the site of a gruesome quadruple murder, before the trial of the accused, Bryan Kohberger, has taken place.
The house, located at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, is set to be razed on December 28, during the university's winter break. This decision has been met with criticism from those who believe the house should be preserved until jurors have the opportunity to visit the crime scene.
University President Scott Green stated, "It is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there. While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue."
The house, a six-bedroom property located near the university's Greek Row and surrounded by student housing, was the scene of a horrific crime on November 13, 2022. Kohberger is accused of entering the house and murdering four of the six occupants. The victims included 21-year-old best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen, found in Mogen's bedroom with a Ka-Bar knife sheath nearby, which prosecutors allege contains Kohberger's DNA. Xana Kernodle, a 20-year-old resident of the house, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20, were killed on the second level.
Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, expressed his concern over the university's decision. He said, "I understand the school wants to move on, but walking the jury through the crime scene when you have it is important to give them a perspective that photos just cant do."
The property was donated to the University of Idaho by the landlord earlier this year. The university plans to replace the house with a memorial garden, designed by UI architecture students, according to Chapin's family.
Giacalone further argued that the house should be preserved until the conclusion of the trial or Kohberger's guilty plea. He told Fox News Digital that demolishing the house was a "terrible idea," and that people would still visit the crime scene, regardless of whether the building was standing.
Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based defense attorney, echoed Giacalone's sentiments. She said, "Being able to visit the crime scene in certain cases is extremely important. Video and pictures can help, but may not accurately depict the scene in the way an in-person visit can do. The house should be preserved until the trial concludes or Kohberger pleads guilty."
Kohberger's defense team returned to the house on Thursday and Friday to examine the location and take photographs. Kohberger's trial, initially scheduled for October, has been postponed as he waived his right to speedy proceedings and has instead focused on challenging the indictment and DNA evidence.
The decision to demolish the house has been met with sadness by the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves. In a Facebook post, they wrote, "Yes, Kaylee unfortunately died in that house, but more importantly, KAYLEE LIVED a fun, happy life in that house." They described December 28, the scheduled demolition date, as "a very sad day."
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