In a recent development in the Idaho student murders case, Bryan Kohberger's defense team has raised objections to a judge's order prohibiting both sides from contacting potential jurors ahead of a change-of-venue hearing. The hearing could potentially move the trial out of Latah County, where the slayings occurred.
The defense team, led by attorney Anne Taylor, argued that the State's strategic move to ban contact with potential jurors infringed upon Kohberger's 14th Amendment rights to due process. The defense had been conducting a survey on potential jurors, particularly focusing on bias assessment in a potential death penalty case.
The defense's expert, social psychologist Bryan Edelman, conducted a telephone survey of 400 Latah County residents to gauge potential bias. While some questions in the survey were disputed for accuracy regarding media influence, Edelman maintained that all information provided was publicly available.
Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson raised concerns about the survey, alleging that the defense violated a court order by discussing case specifics and sharing inadmissible information. The judge temporarily halted the survey, prompting Taylor to request a rescission of the order to resume the surveys.
Legal experts, including former prosecutor David Gelman and defense attorney Edwina Elcox, weighed in on the situation, highlighting the importance of due diligence in preparing for a change of venue. Gelman noted that the defense's actions seemed focused on gathering information rather than disseminating it.
The case involves the murders of four undergraduates at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, with Kohberger being a Ph.D. student at Washington State University at the time of the incident. The defense survey aimed to contact 400 county residents over 18 years old in Latah County, where the trial is currently set to take place.
Thompson argued against a change of venue, citing the case's global attention and media coverage. However, the defense continues to push for the survey's resumption to support their application for a change of venue.
As the legal battle unfolds, the defense remains focused on upholding Kohberger's rights while navigating the complexities of the high-profile case.
