Judge Upholds DNA Evidence in High-Profile Idaho Murder Case

Judge Steven Hippler’s decision to uphold DNA evidence against Bryan Kohberger in the University of Idaho murders case deals a significant blow to the defense strategy.

Key Takeaways

A judge denied a defense motion to exclude DNA evidence linking Kohberger to the murder of four University of Idaho students
DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene was linked to Kohberger through family tree databases
Kohberger’s trial is set for August, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty if he is convicted.
The defense’s claim of a constitutional rights violation has been rejected by the judge.
Two unidentified male DNA samples found at the crime scene were deemed insufficient to negate probable cause.

Judge Upholds Crucial DNA Evidence

In a pivotal development in the University of Idaho murders case, Judge Steven Hippler has denied the defense’s motion to suppress key DNA evidence against Bryan Kohberger. The ruling marks a significant setback for Kohberger’s legal team, who sought to have the DNA evidence, including samples found on a knife sheath at the crime scene, excluded from the trial. Judge Hippler determined that the DNA evidence obtained through search warrants was valid and that Kohberger’s constitutional rights were not violated during the collection process.

The decision to admit the DNA evidence is crucial for the prosecution’s case. Investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to link Kohberger to the crime scene through DNA found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath discovered under one of the victims’ bodies. This evidence was further corroborated by DNA samples collected from trash outside Kohberger’s family home, which matched the DNA profile from the knife sheath.

The judge overseeing the case of the man charged with killing four Idaho college students in 2022 has denied a request to exclude potentially key DNA and other evidence from his upcoming capital murder trial. https://t.co/8Khtb8xUIH

— ABC News (@ABC) February 20, 2025

Defense Strategy Falters

Kohberger’s defense team argued that their client’s DNA was collected without a warrant, violating his Fourth Amendment rights. However, Judge Hippler ruled that there is no expectation of privacy for evidence left at a crime scene. The defense also highlighted the presence of two unidentified male DNA samples found on a handrail and a glove outside the King Road home where the murders took place. They contended that these samples, which did not match Kohberger and came from different individuals, could indicate his non-involvement in the crime.

Judge Hippler remained unconvinced that these additional DNA samples negated probable cause for Kohberger’s arrest. The court’s decision effectively dismantles a key component of the defense’s strategy, allowing prosecutors to present what they consider to be compelling evidence of Kohberger’s involvement in the brutal killings.

Case Background and Implications

Bryan Kohberger, a former Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University, is accused of breaking into an off-campus home and murdering four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022. He was arrested on December 30, 2022, and subsequently indicted in May 2023 on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.

The case has garnered significant public attention, with a documentary and podcast series titled “Bryan Kohberger: Inside the Idaho Murders” covering its developments. The families of the victims, including the Goncalves family, have expressed relief and gratitude for the court’s decision to uphold the DNA evidence. As the trial date approaches, set for August, the prosecution’s case appears to have been strengthened by this ruling, while the defense must now recalibrate its strategy in light of the admissible DNA evidence.