A new development has emerged in the legal proceedings concerning Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering four students from the University of Idaho in 2022. Recently, it has been revealed that a former U.S. attorney for Idaho has joined the legal team that is prosecuting Kohberger. According to court documents filed this week, Joshua Hurwit has been appointed as a special deputy prosecuting attorney for the state in preparation for the trial that is set to commence in August. The prosecution is being led by Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson.
Joshua Hurwit brings notable experience to the team, having served as a U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho after being nominated by former President Joe Biden. His tenure extended from June 2022 until February, and he initially joined the office in 2012 as an assistant U.S. attorney. In February, he stepped down after more than 50 U.S. attorneys and their deputies were dismissed by the White House.
The charges against Kohberger are severe, with four counts of murder filed against him. The victims, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, were tragically killed in the early hours of November 13, 2022. They were discovered in a rental property located close to their university in Moscow, Idaho. Autopsy reports indicate that the victims were likely asleep during the attack, some showed defensive wounds, and all suffered multiple stab wounds.
Kohberger, who was pursuing studies as a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, was apprehended several weeks later in Pennsylvania. Authorities report that DNA evidence found on a knife sheath at the crime scene was matched to him. A court has entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Kohberger, but prosecutors have made it known that they will seek the death penalty if he is found guilty.
An important hearing is taking place on April 9, which will review various pretrial motions. These include discussions on whether Kohberger’s potential autism spectrum disorder diagnosis might affect his eligibility for the death penalty if convicted. Additionally, the court will consider whether to allow the jury to listen to a 911 call made hours after the incident, during which the callers discovered one of their roommates was unresponsive.
The trial is scheduled to begin on August 11 and is anticipated to extend over three months. The legal proceedings are garnering significant attention as the case progresses.