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Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger might avoid the death penalty if convicted because of leaked evidence, a former prosecutor suggested.
Kohberger is charged with the murder of four young individuals: Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20. The lawyer representing Kohberger expressed concerns that a recent television program may have already influenced potential jurors in the case due to leaked information.
A recent segment on NBC’s “Dateline” focused on the tragic events at the University of Idaho and included footage from a nearby residence showing a vehicle resembling Kohberger’s driving around the King Road area shortly before the four students were tragically killed.
The program also revealed purported data from a cellphone tower operated by the FBI near the crime scene. This information allegedly indicated that Kohberger’s phone registered multiple connections with the tower in close proximity to the location where the students lost their lives over the course of several weeks in the summer of 2022.
An amended scheduling order filed in Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District Court on Thursday indicated that the trial will be pushed back one week. Jury selection will begin on Aug. 4, but opening statements are now expected on Aug. 18, one week later than the previously anticipated start date on Aug. 11. A court spokesperson said the updated timeline was not the result of any attempt by the defense to delay the proceedings, but rather an internal scheduling adjustment by the court. Fox News Digital reached out to Kohberger’s lawyer, prosecutors and NBC for comment. Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
