Bryan Kohberger’s attorney, prosecutors spar over evidence

Bryan Kohberger’s legal team and Idaho prosecutors sparred in court Tuesday over whether his defense should be privy to certain documents, including FBI records related to the brutal murders of four local university students.

Wearing a black suit and tie, Kohberger — accused of the murders, which shocked the nation last November — entered the courtroom Tuesday afternoon flanked by his lawyers and looking solemn.

During proceedings his lead defense attorney Anne Taylor maintained her effort to obtain further case records for her client was “not a fishing expedition,” to see what evidence the prosecution have against her client.

“We’ve asked for several things that we still need,” Taylor told the court.

Taylor is seeking discovery materials, including records related to certain police officers’ training and cell phone investigations, including those that led police to seek out a Hyundai like the one driven by Kohberger.

The District Court Judge, John C. Judge, ultimately ordered prosecutors to hand over at least one of the requested documents, an FBI forensics report, by July 14.

The Moscow, Idaho, hearing came just hours after prosecutors revealed they would seek the death penalty against Kohberger, who stands charged with stabbing college students Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, both 20, and 21-year-olds Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves to death.

Taylor argued the possibility of the death penalty has created a greater sense of urgency in the case, according to a News Nation report from inside the courtroom.

“There is a heightened standard now the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty,” she said, “and these are very relevant pieces of information.”

Taylor asked Judge earlier this month to pause her client’s case until she received all records related to the grand jury proceedings.

“Mr. Kohberger stood silent at his initial arraignment to preserve his right to contest the indictment,” Taylor wrote in the June 15 motion to stay.

“He also asserted his right to speedy trial pursuant to the United States and Idaho Constitutions.

“Time is of the essence,” she added.

But the prosecution argued Tuesday that Kohberger’s legal team “has everything that the State has,” other than certain FBI forensics records, which are still under review, according to reports.

Kohberger, a 28-year-old former criminology student was indicted on charges of felony burglary and four counts of first-degree murder over the killings.

His trial is slated to start on October 2, 2023.