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Public defender Jason LaBar says murder suspect Bryan Kohberger won’t 'get a fair trial' in Idaho state

Bryan Kohberger's attorney Jason LaBar said, 'the important thing is he’s presumed innocent until proven otherwise'

This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.

MOSCOW, IDAHO: A public defender, who worked with Bryan Kohberger in Pennsylvania, has claimed that the chances of getting a fair trial for the suspect in Idaho are very low. Jason LaBar also slammed social media sleuths for making the Idaho quadruple case harder for both the prosecution as well the defense.

LaBar recently spoke with NewsNation’s Brian Entin as the preliminary status hearing into the murders of Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Goncalves will take place on January 12. He said, "There's no way he can get a fair trial in Moscow. I don't think he can get a fair trial in Idaho." The attorney in the Monroe County Public Defender's Office then went on to compare the case with Gabby Petito’s killing as he shared that the 28-year-old accused has already been declared either guilty or innocent by the keyboard detectives, leaving the case more complicated.

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LaBar also declared that the case is no more a local one, it’s been recognized internationally because of social media, which is not helpful for any of the parties. He then went on to mention the families of the victims while noting that “they want justice but we want to make sure, everyone wants to make sure that the right guy is the one that they have at the trial and the one who’s ultimately convicted.”

The lawyer also added that he can’t say anything about Kohberger now “since the evidence will eventually come out at the trial but the important thing is he’s presumed innocent until proven otherwise.” This comes as Kohberger was arrested on December 30 after being accused of stabbing the four youngsters to death in November 2022. He is currently detained at Latah County Jail after being charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

Like LaBar, his family has also requested people to not declare their son a murderer as they believe he’s nothing to do with the crime. In an earlier statement, Kohberger’s family shared, “first and foremost, we care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them. We will continue to let the legal process unfold and as a family we will love and support our son and brother.”

They also added, “We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions. We respect privacy in this matter as our family and the families suffering loss can move forward through the legal process.”

Meanwhile, LaBar’s statement has attracted a lot of reactions online with a Twitter user saying, “he’s not gonna get a fair trial anywhere with all the evidence against him. He’s done for.” Another user wrote, “I don’t think it really matters (hopefully) where it is.  This case is known internationally.” “No different than the OJ case in terms of excessive coverage, which REMAINED in the California court system.  Ergo, #Kohlberger (sic) should definitely be tried in IDAHO, just not in Moscow,” a tweet added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.