MOSCOW, Idaho — The prosecution team in the case against alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger was granted access Thursday to the house, and gruesome crime scene, where four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death last year.
Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were murdered in the off-campus residence, referred to as the "King Road house," on Nov. 13, 2022.
Prosecutors did not provide a specific reason for visiting the home nor specific actions being taken while there, according to a statement from the University of Idaho.
After the trial of primary suspect, Bryan Kohberger, was "delayed indefinitely" in October, several entities involved in the case were given permission to go inside the home to gather more information on the scene of the crime in preparation of the pending trial. Over the past two months, the FBI, prosecution and defense have entered and examined the house.
The Thursday visit was perhaps accompanied by a sense of urgency - as the University of Idaho plans to demolish the house on Dec. 28.
The University of Idaho stated that "neither [prosecution nor defense] has asked for the house to be retained and U of I will proceed with demolition." However, the defense and the families of three of the victims have expressed their preference to preserve the house.
Demolition of 'King Road house'
At the time of the murders, the home was being rented out by an individual to three of the four students killed. The owner of the house gave the property to the University of Idaho the following spring. The university then made the decision to demolish the home to eliminate the grisly reminder of the murders that occurred there.
Additionally, the University of Idaho plans to construct a memorial called "Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial" on campus in memory of the victims.
"We know that every action and decision around this horrific incident is painful and invokes emotions. That is why every decision we have made this far is with the families of the victims and our students in mind," UI President Scott Green said.
Despite the university's decision, demolition arrangements were paused in January after the suspect's public defender, Anne Taylor, filed a motion to preserve the crime scene as evidence.
Additionally, the families of three of the victims have vocalized their desire to preserve the house until the case is resolved.
Families respond to demolition plans
"The King Road house is one of the most critical pieces of evidence," said the Goncalves family.
"Let us ask this: Isn’t it better to have the King Road house and not need it than need the house and not have it?"
The Goncalves family released a statement following the announcement and definitive date of demolition.
Goncalves Family Statement, Dec. 21:
"...That has been our question to the prosecution and the University of Idaho for the entire time the demo of the King Road has been an issue. But why is it even up for discussion? This is one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Idaho and the University of Idaho wants to destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the case - and it is also important to make note that there is now a demolition date before there is even a trial date set. This alone speaks volumes.
It is obvious from the two recent visits to the house, by both the Prosecution and the Defense, that there is still evidentiary value in having the King Road house still standing. There may be additional discovery by either party that prompts one side or the other to go back to the scene of the crime. There has always been a dialogue about their 3-D imaging, or they are building a model to replicate the home, etc.…First and foremost, what a waste of state money and resources and secondly, nothing replaces the real thing. Jurors are notoriously unpredictable, and they tend to make decisions on a variety of facts and circumstances. It would be foolish of us to try and foresee what they will want or need to make a just verdict in this case.
The family has stressed tirelessly to the prosecution and the University of Idaho the importance (evidentiary and emotionally) that the King Road house carries but nobody seems to care enough. It’s like screaming into a void. Nobody is listening and everyone tells you how sorry they are for the decision, but the families’ opinion isn’t a priority. Victims' families have a voice and should be heard and listened to!"
Statement on behalf of Jeff Kernodle, father of Xana Kernodle, and the Goncalves family, Oct. 31:
“As the family has stressed from the beginning of this investigation, the King Road house is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in this case. We are grateful that the University of Idaho listened to the families concerns and delayed the demolition of the home. Isn’t this the whole point of not destroying evidence? You may not know if you need it until later or it may become more important once a jury hears evidence in a case. It is our understanding that the King Road residence will not be demolished until after the trial has concluded. On another note, it is important for families of victims to stay involved in this process and trust your gut when it comes to standing up for the victims in the case. Our voice has been loud and consistent and will stay that way for Kaylee, Xana and all the victims until justice has been served.”
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder and felony burglary in the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. The four University of Idaho students were murdered in an off-campus residence - referred to as the "King Road house" - on Nov. 13, 2022.
Prosecutors allege lab results deemed Kohberger was a positive match to DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, located underneath Mogen and Goncalves' bodies. Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested in December 2022 at his family's home in Pennsylvania and extradited to Idaho on Jan. 4, 2023, to face the murder charges.
Due to a gag order imposed by the court, no information or comment was provided by the prosecutor's office, investigators or law enforcement.
A trial date has yet to be set in the State of Idaho v. Bryan Kohberger case.
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