University of Idaho murder trial: Venue will be moved, judge rules
The venue will be changed in the University of Idaho quadruple murder trial, Judge John Judge has ruled.The judge said, "Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating 'a reasonable likelihood' that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County.Thus, the Court will grant Kohberger's motion to change venue for presumed prejudice."In this Nov.
16, 2022 file photo flowers were left at the house where four University of Idaho students were found dead, in Moscow, Idaho.Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILEThe new location was not immediately clear.The decision will be left up to Idaho's highest court.Lawyers for the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, pushed to move the trial to Boise, arguing the local jury pool in Latah County, which encompasses Moscow, was tainted by pretrial publicity.Bryan Kohberger arrives for a hearing on cameras in the courtroom in Latah County District Court on Sept.
13, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho.Ted S.Warren-Pool/Getty Images, FILEMORE: University of Idaho murders: Judge to weigh change of venue decisionDefense lawyers surveyed Latah County residents and said their results found that the "pressure to convict" Kohberger was shown to be "so severe" that the venue couldn't be impartial.The defense said one respondent answered they would "burn the courthouse down" if he were not convicted.
The same survey, according to the defense, found "much less emotional" responses from people living closer to Boise, which is about 300 miles south of Moscow.MORE: University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may stand trial in June 2025The prosecution has said the case has national and international interest, and that the case has been covered plenty in Boise, so a change of venue would not solve any problem.Moscow Mayor Art Bettge sai...