Lawyers for Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student accused of killing four University of Idaho undergrads in a home invasion, have requested that he be allowed to wear street clothing to court rather than a jailhouse jumpsuit. The defense team argues that this would help protect his right to a fair trial and reduce potential prejudice. The lawyers cite a Supreme Court decision from 1976 that found wearing a jail uniform in court could negatively impact a defendant’s presumption of innocence. They have also successfully argued for news cameras to be removed from court proceedings, limiting media coverage of their client.
Bryan Kohberger, a 29-year-old studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University, is accused of entering an off-campus rental home and killing four students inside with a large knife. The victims were Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Police found a knife sheath under one victim’s body that allegedly had Kohberger’s DNA on it. Investigators claim phone data and surveillance video put Kohberger in the victims’ neighborhood at the time of the murders. The defense argues that he was out for a casual drive at that time.
The defense’s request for Kohberger to wear street clothing to court has been met with criticism from the father of one of the victims, who views it as one of several “unprecedented” pretrial privileges given to the defendant. Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, has raised concerns about the defendant being allowed to dress up in court and other undisclosed privileges granted to him. He has attempted to obtain information about the defense budget but was denied the information under a gag order on the case. The defense is attempting to have the death penalty taken off the table for Kohberger.
Following a successful change of venue motion, proceedings for the case have been moved to Ada County, where the defense has requested that Kohberger continue wearing suits to court. The new judge, Steven Hippler, will oversee the proceedings. Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder and one of felony burglary. His trial has been delayed and is expected to begin in June 2025. The defense is working to protect his presumption of innocence and ensure a fair trial amidst media coverage and public scrutiny of the case. Kohberger maintains his innocence and his defense team is preparing to present their case in court.
