Kohberger Indicted

The Washington State University (WSU) student allegedly responsible for killing four University of Idaho Students was indicted on Tuesday, May 16, effectively changing the course of direction for the case and directing it to the state’s felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process. 

The preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for late June but was rescheduled for late May to take place on Zoom. 

Bryan Kohberger, 27, faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the fatal stabbings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, for his alleged murder spree on November 15, 2022, at the University of Idaho students’ apartment. 

Since his arrest, Kohberger has appealed for an expedited trial and continues to plead innocent in the case against him. 

A preliminary hearing is only part of the process of showing a judge that there is sufficient evidence to accuse and convict someone of a crime. 

Court documents have already detailed much of the investigation that prosecutors say ties Kohberger to the slayings. 

Investigators also argue that a cellphone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims’ home on a dozen occasions before the killings. However, it was apparently turned off during the early-morning attack.

A white sedan allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage at a local gas station repeatedly cruising past the rental home on a dead-end street around the time of the killings.

Police also say traces of DNA found on a knife sheath inside the home where the students have killed match that of the 28-year-old Kohberger. 

Bryan Kohberger (28) will be held at the Latah County Courthouse during the course of this upcoming preliminary hearing.