Idaho judge rejects Bryan Kohberger defense request to exclude important evidence

A judge has rejected Bryan Kohberger’s attempts to prevent crucial evidence obtained through search warrants from being used in the Idaho college murders case, dealing a significant blow to his defense team.

Kohberger’s defense lawyers had raised concerns about two DNA samples found at the King Road residence where he allegedly killed four University of Idaho students. They hoped to invalidate his arrest warrants based on this evidence.

Investigators discovered two blood samples from unknown males at the crime scene – one on a handrail and another on a glove outside. These samples did not belong to Kohberger and were linked to different individuals.

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.

Map showing Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger’s movement on the morning of Nov. 13 after four University of Idaho students were stabbed in their home. (Latah County Sheriff’s Office/Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice at Washington State University at the time of the murders. The University of Idaho is only 10 miles away from WSU.

Kohberger is charged with murdering four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022. 

A nearly two-month investigation led police to finally nab Kohberger at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania.

Prior to the SWAT raid on the home, Kohberger and his dad were stopped twice by Indiana law enforcement on a cross-country drive home to Pennsylvania from his apartment in Pullman, Washington, about 10 miles from the crime scene.

Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to start in August.

If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.