Prosecutors want Kohberger trial to stay on schedule

Latah County prosecutors urged Judge Steven Hippler to deny a delay in Bryan Kohberger's trial, emphasizing the victims' rights to a timely resolution. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary related to the November 2022 stabbings of University of Idaho students. His attorney, Anne Taylor, contended that media coverage and the need for adequate preparation time justify postponing the trial, which is set to begin on August 11. Prosecutors countered that Kohberger's defense team has had sufficient time to prepare, noting their extensive resources, including three attorneys and numerous experts. They argued that the victims’ families have a constitutional right to a "timely disposition" of the case, which has been pending for nearly two and a half years.

The prosecution stated that Kohberger's concerns about media coverage should not impede the trial, as jury selection is designed to filter out biased jurors. They also pointed out that this case, highly publicized as it is, is not the first for Ada County. The prosecution believes that proceeding as scheduled could mitigate any negative effects from ongoing media attention.