Bryan Kohberger, the graduate student who has been accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, had been on an early morning drive during the time of the killings, as stated in a legal filing submitted by his defense team on Wednesday evening.
According to the document, Mr. Kohberger frequently went out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, to engage in activities such as hiking, running, and stargazing.
According to the filing, the individual drove extensively in the southern area of Pullman, Washington, and the western area of Moscow, Idaho, including Wawawai Park.
According to the filing, the defence intends to bring in a cell tower data expert to support their claims regarding the whereabouts of the 29-year-old at the time of the murders.
The defence also proposed in its lawsuit that there could be “further information” regarding Mr. Kohberger’s location, along with “vital evidence that proves his innocence.”
In May 2023, Mr. Kohberger chose not to enter a plea in the case, which led the judge to interpret his stance as pleading not guilty.
The previous document, however, provided limited information, stating that the student did not assert being present at a specific place and time.
According to the statement, Mr. Kohberger has developed a longstanding habit of going on solitary drives, often opting for nighttime excursions.
On the night of November 12 and into the early morning of November 13, 2022, Mr. Kohberger made his move. It is important to note that Mr. Kohberger is not asserting his presence at any particular place during these hours. Currently, there is no direct witness who can provide an exact account of Mr. Kohberger’s whereabouts during this time.
On the night of November 12-13, 2022, he ventured out for a drive during the late hours till the early morning.
The claim made by prosecutors was deemed too vague.
The filing for Wednesday was submitted just before the deadline to provide additional information concerning his alibi defense.
The high-profile trial has seen the emergence of the latest development in the form of updated alibi defence claims.
Earlier this month, Mr. Kohberger’s defense team requested that the discovery requests be placed under seal. They argued that the documents contain sensitive facts or statements that could potentially pose a threat to the life or safety of individuals.
Idaho plans to pursue the death penalty against Mr. Kohberger.
The Idaho Supreme Court rejected Mr. Kohberger’s request to dismiss his grand jury indictment in March.
A trial date has yet to be scheduled.
Mr. Kohberger’s attorneys have raised concerns about the reliability of the DNA evidence, specifically questioning the use of genetic genealogy.
The FBI employed genetic genealogy databases in their efforts to ascertain the origin of the DNA, as stated in the case affidavit.
According to the criminal affidavit, authorities collected trash from the suspect’s parents’ home in the Poconos Mountains. They then made a familial match to the sheath, which was linked to Mr. Kohberger’s father.
After Mr. Kohberger was arrested on December 30th, prosecutors obtained DNA samples directly from him. The samples were then analyzed and determined to be a statistical match.
