Safety concerns prompt judge to weigh moving Idaho stabbing trial

Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Latah County Idaho District Judge John Judge heard arguments Thursday to determine whether accused mass murderer Bryan Kohberger's trial should be moved to Ada County.

The trial is tentatively set for next June.

The defense claims moving the trial is the only way to make sure it is fair, impartial and safe.

Kohberger is charged with the stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle on Nov. 13, 2022.

His defense lawyers said In a legal filing that a telephone survey found a "severe mob mentality" had formed Latah County amid heavy media coverage of Kohberger's case.

"There would likely be a riot and he wouldn't last long outside because someone would do the good ole' boy justice," one survey respondent said.

Another person said angry observers would "burn the courthouse down."

Prosecutors argue a fair trial can be done in Latah County using methods other than relocating the trial hundreds of miles away.

One way, they said, was to widen the jury pool to include neighboring counties.

Public defender Anne Taylor said the media coverage had "utterly corrupted" the trial atmosphere and has been "inflammatory, emotion-evoking and often misleading, false and poorly sourced."

The defense phone survey found 98% of the respondents knew about the case and 70% believe Kohberger is guilty.

Prosecutors urged the judge to disregard the survey because it did not include complete data about those who declined to respond.

If the judge agrees to move the trial, it could be relocated from Moscow to Boise or another Idaho city.