Prosecutors in Idaho are pushing to restrict the alibi defense of a man charged with the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students. The accused, Bryan Kohberger, is facing four counts of murder in connection with the tragic incident that occurred in November 2022 near the university campus in Moscow, Idaho.
The Latah County Prosecutor has requested the judge to allow alibi evidence only if Kohberger himself takes the stand during the upcoming trial. Additionally, the prosecutor is seeking limitations on evidence related to psychiatric evaluations of the defendant and arguments about alternate perpetrators.
Kohberger's defense team had previously indicated that he was out driving in the early morning hours of the incident date, engaging in activities such as hiking and stargazing. They planned to present testimony from a cellphone tracking expert to support these claims. However, the prosecution argues that the defense has not provided sufficient details about Kohberger's whereabouts and missed disclosure deadlines.
Prosecutors emphasized the need for timely disclosure to enable effective investigation and response. They also highlighted the lack of substantiated tips regarding other possible perpetrators in the case, except for information related to the defendant.
Furthermore, the prosecution is seeking to bar certain testimony on neuropsychological and psychiatric evaluations of Kohberger, citing state rules that govern admissible evidence in court.
On the defense side, attorney Anne Taylor has requested permission to file a comprehensive document addressing various issues, including expert testimony, DNA references, and witness identification details. The court has approved this request, although the document has not been made public yet.
The murder trial, scheduled to commence on August 11 and expected to last three months, has generated significant interest due to the complexity of the case and the potential consequences for the defendant, including the possibility of facing the death penalty if convicted.
