Court Sides With Bryan Kohberger For Idaho College Murders Trial To Be Held In Private

Bryan Kohberger got some favor from the court after a judge granted his attorney's request for a closed hearing. Authorities arrested Kohberger on December 30, 2022, following the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students.

His attorneys are currently seeking dismissal of his indictment based on lack of proper evidence. Kohberger forced the judge to enter a not-guilty plea for him and waived his speedy trial right. A parent of one of the victims recently accused Kohberger of receiving preferential treatment behind bars. 

Kohberger's attorneys won the judge's heart with their motion for a closed hearing filed on September 19. According to Radar Online, the request has been granted, and the hearing to set the indictment aside will be conducted behind closed doors on Friday.

A Latah County grand jury previously issued murder charges against him on May 16, 2023, after which he was formally charged on May 22, with the judge recording a "not guilty" plea for all murder allegations.

This followed the 28-year-old and his legal team's decision to "stand silent" when asked for a plea. Afterward, the court informed them of the weight that the charges carried, including the possibility of the death penalty.

Kohberger's legal team has hinted at having proof that supports his presence at a different place during the night of the attack that resulted in the deaths of the four students, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, off campus.

However, upon searching the suspect's parent's home, the authorities seized suspicious items like gloves, a hat, a face mask, and knives believed to belong to him. A DNA of Kohberger's fingerprint was linked to the crime scene as well, which further led to an investigation into his activities and eventual arrest.

While awaiting the hearing on September 22, Kohberger's lawyers are actively trying to have the charges dropped. They believe that the grand jury was unfair in holding up the indictment based on insufficient evidence. Kohberger's defense also feels that there isn't enough proof and that some evidence was kept secret by the court.

On the other hand, the prosecutors have revealed a lot of evidence to the court that connects Kohberger to the murders. They have videos from security cameras, records from phones, and Kohberger's DNA. 

They explained all of this in a document shared by CBS. It shows the case against Kohberger is strong, given the circumstances. However, both sides are ready to sort things out in court and help decide the next step in the murder case.

Kohberger is currently in jail without bail, and his trial, initially set for October 2, might be delayed because he chose to give up his right to a fast trial. In court on Wednesday, Judge John accepted this decision and indefinitely postponed the trial.

During the hearing, the judge asked Kohberger himself if he made this choice without any pressure. Kohberger's lawyer, Anne Taylor, explained to the court that they needed more time to prepare their case properly, and October 2 would be too soon.

According to Idaho law, if a defendant doesn't give up this right, they must have a trial within six months of being charged. Since they gave up the right, the defense would have enough time to get ready for when the next date is fixed.

Steve Goncalves, a parent of one of the victims, opened up to Fox News on his belief that the murder suspect was being given preferential treatment while awaiting trial. He received news that Kohberger had privileges like special food and internet access in jail. This comes after he was arrested in December 2022 and put in the Latah Moscow County Jail with no bail.

Goncalves claimed in his statement, "I've been told that his privileges before the trial, like having five suits, access to video and a computer, and getting special vegan meals, are like nothing we've seen in Idaho's history." The father of the victim, Kaylee, added that he "personally saw" the moment when the police "decided not to handcuff" Kohberger during a court hearing.