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Idaho murders: Legal expert warns that convicting Bryan Kohberger won't be an easy 'slam dunk'

The DNA on the knife sheath could have been transferred by someone else, making it less of a solid proof than it seems, said an ex-federal prosecutor
UPDATED JAN 7, 2023
Bryan Kohberger appears at a hearing in Latah County District Court on January 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho (Ted S Warren - Pool/Getty Images)
Bryan Kohberger appears at a hearing in Latah County District Court on January 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho (Ted S Warren - Pool/Getty Images)

This article is based on sources and MEAWW is unable to verify the information independently.

MOSCOW, IDAHO: Bryan Kohberger’s DNA may have been discovered on the scene, making it easy for people to believe that this will be an ‘open and shut case,’ but a legal expert has warned that convicting the suspect in the Idaho murders is not an easy "slam dunk." Ex-federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani has laid out the possible ways in which the case could unfold if it goes to trial, saying his lawyers will most probably try and prove he didn't commit the murders rather than depending on an insanity plea. He pointed out that those fighting in Kohberger’s defense will most likely not be able to present an insanity case, as Kohberger was a PhD candidate prior to his arrest.

This observation comes days after parents of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, had stated that should the judge order the death penalty for Kohberger, they would fully support it. They said it was because their idea of "justice" is not for him "to be in a prison cell." Kaylee’s mother Kristi added that she "wished Kaylee and Maddie were serving a life sentence" because it would mean they could still talk to them.

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Daily Mail reports that Neama Rahmani, an accomplished personal injury lawyer, said that “The murder case against Bryan Kohberger is not a slam dunk. Kohberger’s attorney will most likely argue that he didn’t do it, rather than present an insanity defense.” He then adds, “He was accomplished enough as a scholar to become a PhD student and he showed no indication of mental illness before the stabbings, so there would be little justification for his defense to argue he is incompetent to stand trial.”

Rahmani further goes on to elaborate that, “The authorities have Kohberger’s DNA on the knife sheath, but DNA evidence can be transferred from one person to another onto an object so that evidence is not open and shut for a conviction. Prosecutors don’t have the murder weapon; they have a pretty vague description of the suspect from an eyewitness and they lack a clear cut motive.”

“If I was the DA, I would certainly like a lot more than the evidence that has come out so far, especially if prosecutors are going to pursue the death penalty,” Rahmani said in conclusion. 

Less than a day ago, it was apparently revealed in an affidavit that Kohberger had returned to the scene of the crime hours after he slew the students. The same affidavit is also said to state that, "Kohberger, the user of the 8458 Phone, was likely the driver of the white Elantra that is observed departing Pullman, WA, and that this vehicle is likely Suspect Vehicle 1."

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