Legal battle begins ahead of trial for man accused of killing Idaho students

In November of 2022 4, University of Idaho college students were murdered in the home. They were sharing several weeks later across the country. Brian K Burger was arrested and charged with their murders. The trial has yet to begin but there is still some legal maneuvering happening in court this week. Prosecutors are tearing into his alibi saying it's not specific enough for court and the defense is pressing for more transparency into the DNA process that police say led them to Kerger. Liz Kratz has details. Brian K's legal team fighting to unseal DNA records used to pinpoint him as the suspect while the state argues his alibi comes up short of the legal standard urging the judge to reject earlier this month. Kobe's attorney said Mr Koger was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022 as he often did to hike and run and or see the moon and stars. Prosecutors now writing that the alibi response continues to lack the specificity required by Idaho Code and the defendant is offering nothing new to his initial alibi. The judge appeared skeptical of that initial alibi last year. If the judge does reject this alibi. Then what then the defendant himself of course, can always testify and present his evidence in charging documents. Investigators say Kerger s phone was turned off during the early morning hours of the murders almost a year and a half ago. Later that day, Madison Mogan, Kyle Gonzalez, Zana Knot and Ethan Chapin were found fatally stabbed in their off campus home near the University of Idaho. Judge entered a not guilty plea on Kobe's behalf. Prosecutors say DNA left on a knife sheath found at the home was a statistical match to Koger. But the process, they used to find the match using relatives DNA from genetic genealogy companies is under fire from Kobe's defense. His attorneys are now asking the judge to let their investigators review the fbi's materials that prosecutors say led them to Kiger and to unseal parts of those DNA records where we go from here. The legal maneuvering is playing out in slow motion for the victims. Families eager for a trial date reporting there. A judge will rule later this week on whether an upcoming pretrial hearing will be open to the public if convicted Kerger faces the death penalty.

Channel: NEWS CENTER Maine

Views: 542

Keywords: [ crime, national ], news

Id: RXQvVxypInk

Length: 2min 34sec (154 seconds)

Published: Wed May 01 2024