'They'd burn the courthouse down'; Kohberger defense team says surveys indicate 'mob mentality' in Moscow

MOSCOW, Idaho - Attorneys for accused quadruple killer Bryan Kohberger says responses to a survey of community members show a severe bias and proof that he can't get a fair trial in Latah County.

Defense attorneys reiterated their desire for the trial to be moved out of Moscow in a document filed this week.

The document is in response to an objection from prosecutors to the defense request for change of venue.

Kohberger faces the death penalty if he's convicted of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were stabbed to death in a home just off campus.

Defense attorneys say media coverage has made it impossible for Kohberger to get a fair trial in Latah County; they've asked for the trial, set for summer of 2025, to be moved to Boise.

Prosecutors argue that Latah County jurors could fairly decide the case , provided the jury pool is big enough.

They believe that while the coverage has been extensive, that doesn't mean it has been inflammatory.

Defense attorneys disagree, pointing to a phone survey they did with people living in several Idaho counties.

They point to survey responses when people were asked what would happen if Kohberger wasn't convicted.

Those responses included, "They'd burn the courthouse down", "They'd probably find him and kill him", and "Riots, parents would take care of him".

"The mob mentality within the community is the exact reason that statutory grounds, prior to selecting the jury, exist to move venue," wrote defense attorney Anne Taylor.

She also points to survey responses to the question in Ada County.

She says when people there were asked what would happen if Kohberger was found not guilty, they said things like "I think they would take it well", "I don't know if there would be super strong feelings" and "I think they would accept it".

Taylor concludes by saying there is proof that "excessive media coverage in Latah County that is both prejudicial and false" and that "the traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt."

Judge John Judge has set a hearing to consider arguments on change of venue on August 29th.

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