IDAHO, USA — Bryan Kohberger was moved from Moscow, Idaho to the Ada County Jail in Boise early Sunday morning on Sept. 15. He will remain in Boise until his trial starts – which is expected to be June of 2025.
He is being charged with four counts of murder in the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves – four University of Idaho students who were killed in their college home.
Kohberger was expected to appear in court for the next time in Latah County in November of 2024 to challenge the death penalty, but after the change of venue request was granted, all hearings were canceled in Latah County, according to Idaho Cases of Interest.
Sandra Barrios, the trial administrator for the Ada County Courthouse, wrote in an email to KTVB that there are no hearings set yet in Ada County. She also wrote it is too early to tell the cost of the trial.
Day-to-day life in the Ada County Jail for Kohberger:
Kohberger is being held in a cell by himself, said Captain Ryan Jensen of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. He is not allowed to interact with other inmates, but Ada County Jail staff will interact with him to make sure his needs are met, Jensen said.
Jensen also said the Ada County Jail regularly handles dietary and religious accommodations, and they will do the same for Kohberger. He will be treated like any other inmate and given the same privileges – like making phone calls and having attorney visits.
He will be held in the Ada County Jail until the time of his trial.
Kohberger’s transport from Moscow to Boise:
Kohberger came to Boise on the Idaho State Police plane early Sunday Morning. He landed at the Boise airport at 8:21 a.m., according to Flight Aware.
Jensen said he traveled via plane because it was the “safest and most efficient way.”
Kohberger moved quickly to Moscow after the change of venue because of Idaho Code 19-1805 – which state the defendant needs to be transferred to the custody of the county in which the trial is being held.
However, Idaho Code 19-1805 does not state the time frame in which that needs to happen. Kohberger moved three days after the change of venue was granted.
What’s next in the trial:
Before the trial was moved to Boise, Judge John Judge – who was assigned to the trial in Latah County – said the trial would last three months.
It will be two weeks of jury selection, eight weeks of trial and two weeks of mitigation and sentencing.
The death penalty is on the table, and Barrios wrote death-penalty cases are typically longer than a regular criminal case, because they include a “penalty” phase. In addition, Barrios wrote the jury in death penalty cases must for sequestered for the duration of deliberation, presentation of evidence during the penalty phase and the following deliberation.
The Idaho Supreme Court selected Judge Stephen Hippler to hear the case – he is the administrative district judge at the Ada County Courthouse.
Judge John Judge in Latah County asked the Supreme Court to order a new judge in Ada County – and the Supreme Court chose Hippler, Court Communications Manager Nate Poppino wrote in an email to KTVB.
The prosecution and defense will both need to travel to Boise for the trial.