In a swift turn of events, the infamous King Road House in Moscow, Idaho, where four University of Idaho students tragically lost their lives last year, has been demolished. The decision to tear down the three-story rental property has left some of the victims' families concerned about the potential loss of crucial evidence related to the case.
Being just a block away from the University of Idaho campus, the King Road House witnessed a gruesome incident that took the lives of four young students in a matter of minutes. As crews knocked down the walls today, what once stood as a haunting reminder of the tragedy was reduced to rubble in just a few hours.
During the investigation, both the prosecution and the defense teams representing the accused murderer, Brian Coburger, had the opportunity to examine the house. Investigators meticulously gathered DNA samples, took photographs, and collected other crucial pieces of evidence from the crime scene. Approximately six weeks ago, the FBI also stepped in and created detailed three-dimensional models of the house's interior to be used during the impending trial.
In response to concerns raised by some of the victims' families, the prosecuting attorney released a statement asserting that he does not anticipate the need for a jury to view the house, citing Idaho case law. According to the attorney, the current state of the premises differs considerably from the time of the homicides, rendering a physical inspection unnecessary.
While many students from the University of Idaho voiced support for demolishing the house in order to facilitate the healing process, the decision has garnered criticism from the families of Zanna Kernodle and Kaylee Gonsalves, two of the deceased students. In a joint statement, the families expressed their frustration with the university's actions, asserting that the house held not only evidentiary value but also emotional significance as the last place their children lived and tragically died.
In light of the current circumstances, the prosecution filed a request last week to schedule the trial for next summer to ensure a less busy time for the area, as the school year would be over by then. Nevertheless, the attorney representing the Gonsalves family has raised concerns that the demolition could potentially jeopardize a guilty verdict.
As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating incident, the demolition of the King Road House represents a pivotal step towards closure for many. However, the looming question of whether crucial evidence may have been lost in the process lingers, intensifying the anticipation for the trial and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
