BOISE, Idaho (NewsNation) — Bryan Kohberger‘s request to wear a suit, instead of an orange jumpsuit during his court appearance, has reportedly been granted.
The defense asked that Kohberger, who is accused of stabbing four college students to death in 2022, be allowed to wear “street clothes” in the presence of the jury.
The defense filed a motion arguing that if jurors were to see Kohberger in the standard orange prison jumpsuit, he would lose his presumption of innocence. Kohberger’s attorneys would like him to appear in a suit and tie, as the previous judge in Moscow, Idaho permitted.
Judge Steven Hippler said Kohberger was allowed to wear civilian clothes for the next hearing only and that future decisions about his attire would be made prior to each hearing, based on security concerns.
Hippler took the case over from Judge John Judge when the defense successfully motioned for a change of venue to Ada County, Idaho.
The bulk of the trial dealt with scheduling and administrative matters, including the death of one expert on the defense team, who will need to be replaced before the trial.
The new trial venue in Boise is about 300 miles from Moscow, where the killings took place. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued they could find impartial jurors in Moscow by choosing from a large pool. They also said the move inconveniences the family members of victims, attorneys and witnesses.
The victims’ families are unhappy and think he should stay in the jumpsuit until trial. They say other prisoners have to show up shackled and in the jail jumpsuit and Kohberger should, as well.
Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, who were killed in the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022.
When asked to enter a plea last year, Kohberger stood silent, prompting a judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
Officials have said that Kohberger traveled in the region the night of the killings and that his DNA was found at the crime scene. They say surveillance video and cellphone data show Kohberger visiting the area at least a dozen times before the killings.
Kohberger’s attorneys said in court filings that he was just out for a drive that night, which he often did to hike, run or look at the moon and stars.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. The trial is set for June 2025.
NewsNation’s Sean Noone contributed to this report.
