Idaho Supreme Court orders new venue for U of I quadruple murder trial

[JACK AYLMER]

THE MAN CHARGED WITH STABBING FOUR UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS TO DEATH IN 2022 IS HAVING HIS TRIAL MOVED TO [BOY-SEE], IDAHO, AND A NEW JUDGE ASSIGNED.

THE NEW ORDER COMING FROM THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT THURSDAY, WHO AGREED WITH A LOWER COURT’S FINDING THAT HE WOULDN’T RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL IN NORTH IDAHO’S LATAH COUNTY.

THE DEFENSE ARGUED BRYAN KOHBERGER WOULDN’T GET AN IMPARTIAL JURY BECAUSE THE PRESSURE TO FIND HIM GUILTY IN THE RURAL  AREA NEAR THE CRIME WOULD BE TOO GREAT.

KOHBERGER’S LAWYERS NOTED ONE RESPONDENT THREATENED TO “BURN THE COURT HOUSE DOWN” IF HE WAS NOT CONVICTED.

BOISE IS ABOUT 300 MILES SOUTH OF MOSCOW, WHERE THE KILLINGS HAPPENED.

BUT THE PROSECUTION CONTENDED THE CASE IS NATIONALLY KNOWN ALREADY AND A CHANGE OF VENUE WOULDN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE RELATIVES OF ONE OF THE VICTIM’S KAYLEE GONCALVES DIDN’T WANT THE LOCATION CHANGED.

SAYING THEY BELIEVED HAVING THE TRIAL IN LATAH COUNTY WOULD HELP THE COMMUNITY HEAL.

[STEVE GONCALVES]

WE’VE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE BEST– KEEPING IT WHERE IT HAD BEEN BUT IF THAT CAN’T HAPPEN LET’S JUST HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND JUST GET IT GOING.

[JACK AYLMER]

KOHBERGER IS ACCUSED OF KILLING THE STUDENTS AT AN OFF-CAMPUS HOUSE.

HE’S CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF BURGLARY.

IF CONVICTED HE COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN THE CASE.

THE TRIAL IS SET TO BEGIN IN JUNE OF NEXT YEAR.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M JACK AYLMER.