Topline: Defense must submit evidence and legal arguments by May 23, judge rules.
Published: May 19, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Bryan Kohberger appears in court (Courtesy NBC News)
BOISE, ID — The defense team representing Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, is pushing a bold theory as trial approaches: someone else may have committed the crime—or perhaps more than one person.
During the final pretrial hearing on Thursday, Judge Steven Hippler confirmed that Kohberger’s attorneys filed a sealed motion suggesting alternative perpetrators in the case. But the judge made it clear that speculation won’t be enough, according to reporting by the Idaho Statesman.
“The defense’s information is potentially fairly objectionable in terms of admissibility,” Hippler said from the bench, warning that the argument must be supported by actual evidence—not just allegations. He gave the defense until May 23 to submit briefs supporting their theory, with prosecutors expected to respond by June 6. A hearing to address the issue is scheduled for June 18.
Kohberger, 30, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and striped tie. The former Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the November 2022 deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The brutal killings took place at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.
Three of the victims—Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle—lived in the house. Chapin, Kernodle’s boyfriend, was staying over for the night. Two other female roommates in the home were physically unharmed during the attack.
It’s not the first time Kohberger’s attorneys have floated the idea of another suspect. At a hearing last month, lead defense attorney Anne Taylor told the court her team had received a tip pointing to a different potential killer. She also indicated that a defense expert may testify the crime likely involved two perpetrators and two weapons.
Kohberger was arrested in December 2022, nearly seven weeks after the killings. A Latah County grand jury later indicted him, and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in May 2023. The trial was later moved to Boise due to intense public attention.
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty, which prosecutors have formally said they intend to pursue.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Judge Presses Kohberger Defense to Back Up Claims Ahead of Idaho Murder Trial
Defense must submit evidence and legal arguments by May 23, judge rules.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 19, 2025 7:00 am ET
Bryan Kohberger appears in court (Courtesy NBC News)
BOISE, ID — The defense team representing Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, is pushing a bold theory as trial approaches: someone else may have committed the crime—or perhaps more than one person.
During the final pretrial hearing on Thursday, Judge Steven Hippler confirmed that Kohberger’s attorneys filed a sealed motion suggesting alternative perpetrators in the case. But the judge made it clear that speculation won’t be enough, according to reporting by the Idaho Statesman.
“The defense’s information is potentially fairly objectionable in terms of admissibility,” Hippler said from the bench, warning that the argument must be supported by actual evidence—not just allegations. He gave the defense until May 23 to submit briefs supporting their theory, with prosecutors expected to respond by June 6. A hearing to address the issue is scheduled for June 18.
Kohberger, 30, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and striped tie. The former Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the November 2022 deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The brutal killings took place at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.
Three of the victims—Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle—lived in the house. Chapin, Kernodle’s boyfriend, was staying over for the night. Two other female roommates in the home were physically unharmed during the attack.
It’s not the first time Kohberger’s attorneys have floated the idea of another suspect. At a hearing last month, lead defense attorney Anne Taylor told the court her team had received a tip pointing to a different potential killer. She also indicated that a defense expert may testify the crime likely involved two perpetrators and two weapons.
Kohberger was arrested in December 2022, nearly seven weeks after the killings. A Latah County grand jury later indicted him, and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in May 2023. The trial was later moved to Boise due to intense public attention.
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty, which prosecutors have formally said they intend to pursue.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Judge Presses Kohberger Defense to Back Up Claims Ahead of Idaho Murder Trial
Defense must submit evidence and legal arguments by May 23, judge rules.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 19, 2025 7:00 am ET
Bryan Kohberger appears in court (Courtesy NBC News)
BOISE, ID — The defense team representing Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, is pushing a bold theory as trial approaches: someone else may have committed the crime—or perhaps more than one person.
During the final pretrial hearing on Thursday, Judge Steven Hippler confirmed that Kohberger’s attorneys filed a sealed motion suggesting alternative perpetrators in the case. But the judge made it clear that speculation won’t be enough, according to reporting by the Idaho Statesman.
“The defense’s information is potentially fairly objectionable in terms of admissibility,” Hippler said from the bench, warning that the argument must be supported by actual evidence—not just allegations. He gave the defense until May 23 to submit briefs supporting their theory, with prosecutors expected to respond by June 6. A hearing to address the issue is scheduled for June 18.
Kohberger, 30, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and striped tie. The former Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the November 2022 deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The brutal killings took place at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.
Three of the victims—Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle—lived in the house. Chapin, Kernodle’s boyfriend, was staying over for the night. Two other female roommates in the home were physically unharmed during the attack.
It’s not the first time Kohberger’s attorneys have floated the idea of another suspect. At a hearing last month, lead defense attorney Anne Taylor told the court her team had received a tip pointing to a different potential killer. She also indicated that a defense expert may testify the crime likely involved two perpetrators and two weapons.
Kohberger was arrested in December 2022, nearly seven weeks after the killings. A Latah County grand jury later indicted him, and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in May 2023. The trial was later moved to Boise due to intense public attention.
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty, which prosecutors have formally said they intend to pursue.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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