University of Idaho murder trial updates and key arguments

As the trial date for Bryan Kohberger nears in the University of Idaho murder case, new filings reveal prosecutors plan to use his college crime-scene paper as evidence, aiming to highlight his knowledge of criminal investigations. The defense, meanwhile, pointed to his autism diagnosis in an attempt to remove the death penalty, but a judge ruled that autism alone doesn't qualify as an exemption.

Unsealed texts and 911 calls from surviving roommates now provide a clearer timeline of the night of the homicides, while the defense may argue that DNA evidence on a knife sheath could have been planted. Prosecutors also allege Kohberger bought a matching knife and sheath before the attack, and both sides continue to dispute which evidence and witness statements will be allowed at trial.

Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, walks past a video display as he enters a courtroom to appear at a hearing in Latah County District Court, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. By Ted S. Warren

NO. 1: JUDGE RULES ON KOHBERGER MOTION TO REMOVE DEATH PENALTY OVER AUTISM DIAGNOSIS

This was one of the latest — and likely final — attempts by Kohberger’s attorneys to remove the death penalty as an option. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

Four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death Nov. 13 at this home on King Road in Moscow. By Angela Palermo

NO. 2: TEXTS, 911 CALL UNSEALED IN KOHBERGER’S CASE REVEAL NEW DETAILS ABOUT IDAHO HOMICIDES

“They saw some man in their house last night,” one of the callers told 911. | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee Kevin Fixler

NO. 3: BRYAN KOHBERGER HAS AUTISM. HIS ATTORNEYS SAY THE DIAGNOSIS SHOULD REMOVE DEATH PENALTY

His attorneys argued that there is an “unconscionable risk” he’ll be executed because of a neurological disorder rather than culpability. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

Bryan Kohberger, center, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, sits with his attorneys, Anne Taylor, left, and Jay Logsdon, as he appears at a hearing in Latah County District Court, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. By Ted S. Warren

NO. 4: PROSECUTORS: KOHBERGER DEFENSE TO ARGUE IN IDAHO MURDER TRIAL DNA EVIDENCE WAS PLANTED

Expert witnesses for the accused killer will not challenge scientific finding that the suspect’s DNA was located on a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene, according to prosecution. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kevin Fixler

Attorney Anne Taylor, right center, for defendant Bryan Kohberger, argues to exclude DNA evidence at a pretrial hearing before Judge Steven Hippler, bottom, at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise on Jan. 23, 2025. Kohberger is charged with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. By Idaho 4th Judicial District Court

NO. 5: BRYAN KOHBERGER RENEWS EFFORT TO PRESENT ALIBI, OTHER SUSPECTS AT IDAHO MURDER TRIAL

“Mr. Kohberger has a right to present a full and complete defense for the crimes of which he is accused,” his defense wrote. | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kevin Fixler Alex Brizee

Bryan Kohberger listens to proceedings during a pretrial hearing Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. By August Frank

NO. 6: COURT RECORDS REVEAL PROSECUTORS ALLEGE KOHBERGER BOUGHT KNIFE, SHEATH BEFORE IDAHO HOMICIDES

The purchased items were from the same brand as the sheath police say they found at the scene where four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in November 2022. | Published March 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kevin Fixler Alex Brizee

From left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were killed in a November 2022 attack at an off-campus house on King Road near the University of Idaho.

NO. 7: IDAHO PROSECUTORS WANT TO USE KOHBERGER COLLEGE PAPER ON CRIME SCENES AT MURDER TRIAL

The suspect in the killing of four University of Idaho students spent 12 pages describing how to process the scene of a stabbing properly. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sally Krutzig

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.