(NewsNation) — Bryan Kohberger’s defense has officially filed a “change of venue” motion, but it doesn’t appear they’re asking to move the trial out of Latah County.
Instead, they are asking to bring in jurors from outside the county, pointing to “extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity” that would inevitably influence a local jury.
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. They were stabbed to death in November 2022.
Kohberger entered a not guilty plea in May of 2023. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.
The defense team claims there is information overload in the case, with 51 terabytes of evidence to sift through, which has led to speculation that the trial may not commence until 2025.
For the latest on the Idaho college killings case, click here. For a full case summary, click here.