Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.
Earlier this year, students at the University of Idaho designed and built a memorial and healing garden in memory of those lost. It officially opened on Aug. 21.
The stabbing occurred on the morning of Nov. 13, 2022. The victims, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen, shared a house along with two additional roommates who were not targeted.
Later that year on Dec. 30, Bryan Kohberger, a graduate student at WSU, was arrested at his family home in Pennsylvania on four counts of first-degree murder. Five days after his arrest, Kohberger was extradited back to Idaho to face these charges.
Kohberger was originally turned over to Moscow police to stand trial in Latah County, but on Sept. 9., his defense team’s request for a change of venue was granted by the Idaho Supreme Court in an order released on Sept. 12.
Earlier this year on Jan. 30, the defense had argued for a change of venue, citing a memorandum submitted to the court. The memorandum indicated public notoriety and bias around the case in Latah County.
On Feb. 8, Idaho prosecutors responded with a motion of their own. In a written response to the defense’s request, prosecutors objected to the defense’s motion and asked Judge John Judge to instead schedule a trial date.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the trial was transferred almost 300 miles away to Boise in Ada County. The new trial, now scheduled for Aug. 11, 2025, is now overseen by Judge Steven Hippler.
While the defense won their motion for a change of venue, the trial remains in Idaho. Idaho is one of 27 states that maintain the death penalty.
Kohberger, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, is currently eligible for the death penalty under Idaho law if convicted. However, Kohberger’s defense team has asked Judge Hippler to remove the possibility of the death penalty, according to the Idaho Statesman.
Anne Taylor, Kohberger’s lead attorney, argued the death penalty would violate the Eighth Amendment given that Idaho does not possess the means to humanely execute Kohberger if convicted, according to the Idaho Statesman. However, Judge Hippler seems to be skeptical of the defense’s arguments, noting Idaho has recently acquired the drugs needed to carry out a lethal injection.
Although Judge Hippler did not immediately issue a ruling on the death penalty motion during the Nov. 7 hearing, he is set to issue a written ruling at a later date.
