A judge has set a trial date for June 2025 for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were fatally stabbed in their off-campus apartment near the Moscow, Idaho university. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and burglary for the crime. Prosecutors plan to present DNA evidence, cellphone use, and surveillance videos as evidence against Kohberger.
Kohberger was a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University at the time of the crime. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf last year, and his attorneys have indicated that he intends to present an alibi as part of his defense. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
The progression of the case has been slowed by a series of pre-trial motions and hearings related to the death penalty, a gag order, investigative genetic genealogy, and Kohberger's proposed alibi. Some issues have not been resolved.
Judge John Judge said in April that he wants a hearing at least every month, noting the importance of cleaning up the legal proceedings. The defense noted that some of the deadlines may need to be amended or extended as new information comes into the case.
The parents of Kaylee Goncalves attended Thursday's court hearing. They had been desperate for a date to be set, telling ABC News in January their family is 'in limbo' until trial begins.
Roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, as well as Kernodle's boyfriend Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in the girls' off-campus home in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Two other roommates survived.
A photo posted by Kaylee Goncalves only a few days ago shows University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Goncalves. The four were found dead at an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022.
Kohberger was arrested weeks later and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
