Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho murders of four college students, has claimed that he was out stargazing when the killings took place in November 2022. His defense team has argued that this was a regular habit for him, as he often went on late-night drives to hike, run, or admire the moon and stars in the area south of Pullman, Washington, and west of Moscow, Idaho. Legal experts believe that the defense will need to provide solid evidence to support this alibi and create reasonable doubt in the case.
According to a January 2023 arrest affidavit, prosecutors allege that Kohberger’s phone pinged at the scene of the quadruple homicide just hours after the murders occurred. The phone also reportedly pinged at the crime scene multiple times prior to the slayings. Investigators linked the phone to Kohberger and noted that it was turned off during the time frame in which the murders allegedly took place. The defense’s claim that Kohberger was out stargazing at the time has been met with skepticism by legal experts, who view it as a weak alibi that may not be convincing to a jury.
While late-night stargazing drives may not be unusual, Kohberger’s defense needs to provide concrete evidence to prove that this was a regular habit for him. Phone data, social media posts, or witness accounts of similar outings could support his alibi. However, the prosecution is likely to challenge this defense by looking for inconsistencies or arguing that Kohberger could still have committed the crime within the timeframe of his drive. Despite the unusual nature of his alibi, it may not be uncommon for non-offenders to struggle to provide credible alibis in court.
The family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, has expressed skepticism about Kohberger’s alibi, stating that it conflicts with the information in the probable cause affidavit. They believe that the alibi should have been submitted sooner if it held any weight and that inconsistencies in the cellphone data raise doubts about its credibility. Authorities arrested Kohberger in December 2022, charging him with four counts of murder and burglary in connection with the deaths of the college students. His trial, initially scheduled for October 2024, has been postponed and is expected to take place no later than the summer of 2025, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
Overall, the defense’s assertion that Bryan Kohberger was out stargazing during the time of the murders will be scrutinized by the prosecution and legal experts to determine its credibility. While the defense will need to provide strong evidence to support this alibi, there are concerns about the weakness of the claim and the potential for inconsistencies to be exploited. The victim’s family has expressed doubts about the alibi, highlighting conflicting data regarding Kohberger’s location and cellphone activity. As the case continues to unfold, the focus will remain on establishing the truth of what happened on the night of the tragic killings in Idaho.
