Idaho Murders Suspect Bryan Kohberger’s Trial Will Not Take Place In Moscow, Judge Rules

Mar. 15, 2025

Bryan Kohberger.Photo:Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty

Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty

The trial for University of Idaho murder suspectBryan Kohbergerwill no longer be held in the college town of Moscow wherethe killingstook place in 2022, a judge has ruled.

Bryan Kohberger.August Frank-Pool/Getty

August Frank-Pool/Getty

Judge also said that the courthouse lacks enough clerks to manage the jury selection process and it does not have enough space for the prosecution and defense teams. He added that the Latah County Sheriff’s Office does not have enough officers to ensure adequate security during the trial.

The filing did not specify where the new trial will take place and said another judge will oversee the criminal trial. Judge referred the case to the “administrative director of the courts,” who will make the decision as to where the trial will be held.

Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbing deaths ofMadison Mogen, 21,Kaylee Goncalves, 21,Xana Kernodle, 20, andEthan Chapin, 20.Kohberger has pleaded not guilty.Two additional roommatesin the home were unharmed and ruled out as suspects.

From left: Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle.Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram

Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram

At the time of the slayings, Kohberger was a Ph.D student at Washington State University studyingcriminal justice and criminology. The university, in Pullman, Wash., is approximately eight miles away from the residence in Moscow where the four students were killed.

According to the affidavit, Kohberger’s phone pinged 12 times in the area of the1122 King Road home where the killings took place on at least twelve occasionsprior to Nov. 13, 2022.

1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho and Bryan Kohberger.David Ryder/Getty Images; Latah County Sheriff’s Office/UPI/Shutterstock

Kohberger’s defense attorney claimed in a previous court filing that he was driving late at night “as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars,“the filing reads.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

It also states that Kohberger was an avid runner and hiker, but adds that his hiking and running decreased during the school year, but “his nighttime drives increased.”

That three-story off-campus housewas demolishedon Dec. 28, 2023.

source: people.com