Try GOLD - Free

How the Trial of Bryan Kohberger Will Unfold

Newsweek Europe

|

January 19, 2024

The murders of four University of Idaho students shocked the nation. Now the man accused of their lethal stabbings finally looks set to face a jury

- SEAN O'DRISCOLL

How the Trial of Bryan Kohberger Will Unfold

NO OTHER MURDER CASE ATTRACTED AS MUCH public interest in the past year as the lethal stabbings of four University of Idaho students in a rented, off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.

The early investigation into the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, was on an enormous scale. Nearly seven weeks after the horrific killings, Bryan Christopher Kohberger was arrested at his parents' home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, and extradited to Idaho, where he was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

The trial of Kohberger, who was a PhD student in criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, just eight miles from Moscow, was scheduled for October last year. It was postponed indefinitely in August after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial. It is now expected to be held this year at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow and likely to run for at least two months. Here is what we know about the upcoming trial.

The Judge

If ever there was proof of psychologist Carl Jung's theory of nominative determinism-that people are drawn to professions that fit their name-it's Judge John Judge.

Judge Judge, as he is referred to in Idaho legal circles, has been the Latah County magistrate since October 1, 2008, and was reelected with nearly 90 percent of the vote in 2014.

"Judge Judge loves his work, his family, and his life. When he is not working, he is playing outside," according to a profile on the Idaho Judicial Council website.

The Allegation

Prosecutors allege that in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, Kohberger broke into an off-campus home on King Road in Moscow and stabbed the four students to death.

Newsweek reached out to Kohberger's lawyer, Anne Taylor, via email for comment.

MORE STORIES FROM Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S BEST HOME HEALTH AGENCIES 2026

A portrait of Sudani at a campaign event for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition list earlier this month, ahead of the parliamentary elections. Below: People attend a rally organized by the prime minister.

time to read

12 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

Beijing Bytes Back

Blacklisted by Washington, Chinese tech firms have worked their way around U.S. curbs and are now ditching American chips for their own

time to read

6 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

ED HELMS

ACTOR ED HELMS LOVES A DEEP DIVE INTO A SNAFU FROM THE PAST.

time to read

1 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

The Man Who Wants to Make Iraq Great Again

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has led Iraq through a time of regional turbulence. Ahead of national elections this month, he told Newsweek of his plans to establish his country as a global trade, investment and innovation hub

time to read

14 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

GLEN POWELL

GLEN POWELL KNOWS HOW UNIQUE THIS MOMENT IS. “I’M REALLY GETTING TO learn from some of the people that have inspired me.”

time to read

1 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

BOOZE AND FEATHERS WITH A SIDE OF MURDER

Season two of Palm Royale promises lots more fabulous costumes, incredible sets and laughs

time to read

6 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE...

Youth protests across the world have captured headlines, but can they force meaningful reforms?

time to read

4 mins

November 21, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

MELISSA PETERMAN

FOR MELISSA PETERMAN, THE FIRST SEASON OF NBC'S HAPPY'S PLACE WAS A dream come true; getting a second season is an embarrassment of riches. “Getting a pilot is the lottery. Getting that pilot picked up is another gigantic win that is getting rarer and rarer.” Peterman plays Gabby, friend and co-worker of Bobbie, played by Reba McEntire, owner of the fictional tavern Happy’s Place. The sitcom reunites Peterman and McEntire, who first appeared together on Reba. “I think there is value in the second banana. There's value in the sidekick.” While fans see her as way more than just a sidekick, Peterman knows how rare it is to get a second chance with a hit sitcom. “It’s almost more precious because I know how rare it is to get a second chance with your best friend.” Busier than ever, Peterman also co-hosts Hallmark's Finding Mr. Christmas. “I would be really sad if I didn’t get to host a game show or go be with people. I genuinely like people.”

time to read

1 min

November 14, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

A HEALING GANG

Actor Tim Robbins finds his greatest personal and professional fulfillment in four decades of his theater troupe's prison work

time to read

6 mins

November 14, 2025

Newsweek Europe

Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S TOP ONLINE LEARNING SCHOOLS 2026

DIGITAL LEARNING PROVIDES STUDENTS AND EDUCAtors with more flexibility and personalization than traditional educational settings.

time to read

2 mins

November 14, 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size