Idaho Murder Suspect Wants to Move Venue After Poll Shows Locals Will Want to ‘Burn the Courthouse Down’ If He’s Acquitted

The defense team for Bryan Kohberger, who was accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, wants their client’s trial venue moved after a survey revealed that local residents held overwhelmingly negative views about him already.

A survey ordered by Kohberger’s defense team asked Latah County residents — where the trial is currently set to take place in June 2025 — about the case and what would happen if their client were found not guilty of murdering the four students. CBS News wrote:

98% percent of the respondents said they recognized the case and 70% of that group said they had already formed the opinion that Kohberger is guilty. More than half of the respondents with that opinion also said nothing would change their mind, according to defense court filings.

Some respondents also made dire predictions, according to the filings, saying that if Kohberger is acquitted, “There would likely be a riot and he wouldn’t last long outside because someone would do the good ole’ boy justice,” “They’d burn the courthouse down,” and “Riots, parents would take care of him.”

This filing is the second time Kohberger’s team requested a change of venue. In January, his attorney Anne Taylor wrote that a change was needed “owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces.”

The November 2022 murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen shook not just the University of Idaho campus and the neighboring community, but the case became a hot true crime story in the media, garnering coverage on TV, podcasts, and social media. Kohberger pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors allege that Kohberger’s car was seen on security videos in the vicinity of the students’ off-campus apartment around the time of the murders. They also claim to have cell phone records and DNA evidence that support their case against Kohberger.

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