SPOKANE, Wash. — After sitting in a Moscow jail cell for almost two years, Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is having his trial moved to Boise.
The new trial location in Boise is 300 miles away from where the four U of I students were killed. This ruling means all future proceedings in the case will be held in the Ada County Courthouse under 4th District Judge Steven Hippler. This is something Kohberger's defense team has been asking for since January.
"There's nothing unusual about that here," former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy said. "On the other hand, this is anything but a typical case."
Leroy said a trial moving its location isn't something new, but the publicity it's seen over the past couple of years is unique.
Kohberger's defense team fought for the relocation of the trial, arguing a close-knit community in Moscow combined with the amount of news coverage wouldn't make it possible for an impartial jury.
Leroy said he supports the decision.
"If there's been a good deal of pre-trial publicity, it's sometimes hard to set aside things you know or may know about a case," Leroy said.
Prosecutors opposed the switch, saying the change of location creates an inconvenience of forcing attorneys, witnesses and families of the victims to travel to a different area.
Leroy said the change and what's to come financially depend on both Latah and Ada Counties. "Ada county provides the site, and Latah county will transfer people back and forth, pay the lodging cost, pay the transportation cost and unfortunately suffer the inconvenience of a trial 300 miles from home," Leroy said.
The courthouse in Boise is reported to have more space and protected routes for any witnesses to enter or leave the courtroom.
Leroy said the location change will not change what's already been done. "The case will continue in due course," Leroy said. "Judge Hippler, who is an experienced judge, will keep good control of the courtroom. And will have the benefit of all the prior rulings of this case, simply moving forward to a fair trial."
Kohberger's defense team has been collecting data on the perception of the people of Moscow since 2023. A poll found 66% of people were likely to already think Kohberger is guilty.
That's not the case in Ada County.
"They do not have that intimate connection, and they did not feel emotionally invested, not as much as the people in North Idaho," Leroy said.
Leroy said the case now has a greater ability to be unbiased, saying whatever perception there is, Kohberger, like any defendant in a case, is entitled to their day in court.
"Every individual juror who ultimately sits in this case will have to assure the court that they are open, unbiased, and will decide the case solely on the evidence that's presented in the courtroom," Leroy said. "That'll be easier to do in Ada County than in Latah County."
Shannon Gray, the attorney representing the family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the students killed, released the following statement:
"We would like to show appreciation for the Idaho Supreme Court taking charge and efficiently managing the Change of Venue and reassignment of a new Judge. To finally see a decision made quickly & confidently is a breath of fresh air. While we still believe a fair trial could have been possible in Latah, we are confident the physical location of a trial will make no difference in the end. We know Ada county is more than capable and more experienced to help us achieve justice. We are hopeful and grateful for this new chapter. We know it is not an easy task to step up and take on this complex case. We know the media and public scrutiny is an all time high. We know every decision will be questioned. Despite all of this, the honorable Judge Hippler chose to stand for Justice for all of us. His strength and determination does not go unnoticed. We cannot express more gratitude. Everything can change but the only four names that truly matter will remain the same - the only ones you should ever see as a title to an article - Kaylee, Maddie, Xana and Ethan. More than “four students”, more than “four victims, more than “university of Idaho four.”
Kohberger's arrest occurred six weeks after the killings. The trial date is set for June 2025.
The prosecution is seeking the death penalty if Kohberger is found guilty of the murders.