Bryan Kohberger trial: Lawyer for man accused in Idaho college murders says jury pool is biased
ABC News Legal Analyst, Dan Abrams, explains why he supports moving the trial.
LATAH COUNTY, Idaho -- Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, can't get a fair trial in the county where the stabbings took place, his lawyer says, citing a recent survey.
The defense team for the suspect in the Idaho college murders is taking steps to have his upcoming trial be moved out of state.
"This is really an interesting question, right? The defense has been calling prospective jurors. This is not jury selection -- we're not there yet, right? This is just reaching out to people in the community. They're trying to prove that the community has been so hopelessly biased that they need to move the case," said ABC News Legal Analyst Dan Abrams.
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Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend Ethan Chapin in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
Kohberger's lawyer filed a new document in court Wednesday that says a survey they completed proves that the jury pool in Latah County is "biased" against him.
However, prosecutors are arguing that this is not only violating the gag order for the case, but also could be potentially tainting the jury pool.
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Abrams explains why he supports moving the trial.
"I think there ought to be a change of venue. You're talking about a small community with a case that is enormous, that everyone in the community has opinions about already," Abrams said. "If there's a case for a change of venue, this is probably it. I don't know that this survey is going to make or break that fundamental question."
Abrams added that the case is taking so long because it involves the death penalty.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we continued for a few months," he said.
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Kohberger was taken into custody at his family's home in the Pennsylvania Poconos in December 2022.
