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Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger makes play to prove innocence, demands DNA findings

Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger demands the State handover 6 items of evidence which include all body and dash cam footage to prove his innocence

MOSCOW, IDAHO: In a recent development, Bryan Kohberger and his legal team have filed a motion to compel discovery in the Latah County Court, demanding the state to turn over crucial DNA evidence and arrest video that they claim could establish his innocence in the case of the accused quadruple killings. This motion builds upon previous requests made on February 3 and March 24, emphasizing the significance of obtaining the requested evidence.

Kohberger, a 28-year-old PhD student in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University, stands accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, on November 13, 2022. He is charged with four counts of murder and one of burglary. Despite maintaining his innocence, Kohberger has been detained without bail, and a preliminary trial hearing is scheduled for June 26.

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Bryan Kohberger's legal team files a motion 

The motion specifically seeks the release of all body and dash cam footage recorded by the officers involved in Kohberger's arrest in Pennsylvania. Additionally, it requests access to any audio or video evidence captured during Kohberger's time in jail, including police interrogations. The defense is also seeking the lab reports pertaining to the forensic evidence seized from Kohberger's parents' home and his Hyundai Elantra, along with the training records of the officers involved in the investigation.

The recent legal filing by Kohberger's public defender, Anne Taylor, raises concerns about the failure of the prosecution to deliver potentially exculpatory evidence, despite two prior requests. The filing specifies the following requests as per Daily Mail: 

1. The release of all body cam and dash cam footage recorded during the search for and arrest of Bryan Kohberger in Pennsylvania.

2. Access to comprehensive lab testing materials, including photographs, color diagrams, and bench notes. This includes copies of lab reports detailing the collection and analysis of forensic evidence recovered from various locations, such as Kohberger's parents' home, trash cans, and his Hyundai Elantra.

2.a. Specifically, the defense requests the release of ISP and FBI Forensic Lab reports, including Lab reports 11 and 25.

3. The disclosure of all notes and recordings made by officers from the Moscow Police Department.

4. The release of all police reports, audio/video evidence, and recorded statements related to Bryan Kohberger's arrest and incarceration in Pennsylvania.

5. The disclosure of all reports, notes, recordings, and photographs pertaining to the case.

6. Access to the training records of specific officers involved in the investigation.

The response from the judge regarding this motion is still pending. Kohberger's defense is urging a 10-minute hearing on the matter before the scheduled preliminary trial hearing at the end of June. Meanwhile, recent documents have revealed that police discovered traces of blood and an undisclosed storage locker at Kohberger's apartment in Pullman, Washington, which is located just a 15-minute drive away from the location of the alleged murders. While it remains unclear if any substantial evidence was found in the locker, officers suspect that Kohberger used it to store items following the murders.

Discovery of blood traces and suspicious locker raises questions

The discovery of blood traces on a pillow and a mattress cover, both collected from Kohberger's apartment, has raised questions about their potential connection to the crime. However, it is yet to be determined if the blood belongs to the victims or Kohberger himself. During the search, investigators also seized several other items, including hair strands, a black glove, a computer tower, receipts from Walmart and Marshall's, and the contents of Kohberger's vacuum cleaner. All these items are currently being stored at the Washington State University Police Department. Authorities are particularly interested in examining the possibility of hair transfer between Kohberger and his apartment, including that of Goncalves' dog Murphy. Murphy was found alive in Kaylee's room by investigators and has been since returned to her ex-boyfriend. 

'Is this normal?'

Internet users had mixed reactions to the recent turnover in Kohberger's case. One user wrote, "Good. its getting done thoroughly, this is the dodgiest case i've ever known." Another added, "Isn’t it interesting how this murderer can make demands. Next he’ll want steak and fries 24/7." A third questioned, "Don’t all defense attorneys ask to see the evidence against their client? Why is this a story?" A fourth chimed, "Is this normal? Chad Daybell's defense team had to do the same thing?" "There'll be 12 jurors. It would take just one, to not demand this level of proof. Or just 1 to have a reasonable doubt that even if Bryan Kohberger was there, it didn't look like he killed. And with the 5th Amendment; he doesn't have to answer, anything he doesn't want to," read a tweet. 

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