Prosecutors unveil new evidence in the capital murder case against Bryan Kohberger

BOISE, Idaho -- Newly released court documents reveal significant details surrounding the case against Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with the murder of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. Among the evidence highlighted is a 12-page academic paper Kohberger submitted in 2020 as part of his criminology studies. The paper features a fictional investigation into the stabbing death of a 35-year-old white female and includes meticulous procedures for crime scene investigators aimed at preventing contamination, such as wearing gloves and using face coverings.

Prosecutors have also presented new evidence for the upcoming trial, including a purchase record showing that Kohberger bought a black balaclava, which coincides with descriptions given by a surviving roommate who reported seeing a man in a black ski mask on the night of the killings. In addition, surveillance footage and business records from local stores are expected to demonstrate Kohberger’s vehicle and movements shortly after the murders.

To aid the jury's understanding of the crime scene, the prosecution plans to introduce a 3D rendering of the home where the incident occurred, rather than a to-scale model as previously suggested. This approach has been met with objections from the defense, which argues that the rendering could mislead jurors regarding the scene's layout.

The trial also raises questions about whether Kohberger's behavior and physical appearance can be relevant for the jury. His defense attorneys claim he has autism spectrum disorder and a coordination disorder, which may affect how he appears in court. However, prosecutors contend that this information is irrelevant and could skew the jury’s perception of him.

Moreover, there is contention over specific terminology to be used during the trial. The defense seeks to prevent prosecutors from labeling Kohberger as a "murderer" in front of the jury and argues against the use of terms like "touch DNA" or "contact DNA" concerning evidence found at the crime scene. Although the murder weapon remains unfound, prosecutors note that Kohberger searched for a replacement knife on Amazon after the crimes, but they are seeking to exclude this information from trial due to claims of incompleteness and potential for misinterpretation.