Quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberber’s defense team brought up two DNA samples from unidentified males at the King Road home where he is accused of killing four University of Idaho undergrads, as part of their effort to have his arrest warrants thrown out.
Two unidentified male blood samples, one on a handrail and one on a glove outside, were recovered by investigators after the stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncavles, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin, 20. Neither matched Kohberger, and they came from different subjects.
With the sources of both in question, defense attorney Anne Taylor told Ada County Judge Steven Hippler at a hearing last month that it could mean Kohberger, 30, is not related to the crime at all.
The house at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, behind police tape on Nov. 15, 2022. Police say four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death inside on Nov. 13. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
The location of these samples matters, she said. One was found on a handrail inside, another on a glove outdoors.
“Now if the same unknown DNA is in a bedroom and on a victim then it becomes more important, but not for probable cause for the search warrant,” she said.Â
Taylor will likely argue that the unknown blood came from one or more killers – who have no connection to her client, said David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney who has been following the case.
“Defense Counsel will pound that theory,” he told Fox News Digital. “This is a theme of reasonable doubt they will use. It could actually be a powerful part of the defense.”
After the hearing, Hippler said he had not yet decided whether the defense will receive a Franks hearing, which would allow Kohberger’s team to attack the warrants in court.
Kohberger is scheduled for trial later this year. Before his defense successfully argued for a change of venue, Latah County Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on the suspect’s behalf at his arraignment in May 2023.
Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted.
