Idaho murders case: Experts suggest Jury visit akin to Murdaugh trial could've been 'best evidence'
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: In the aftermath of suspect Bryan Kohberger's alleged murder of four University of Idaho students, legal experts draw parallels to the high-profile Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, emphasizing the potential significance of a jury visit to the demolished crime scene before its destruction could have been "best evidence."
Kohberger, a 29-year-old PhD student at Washington State University and the arrested suspect in the case is accused of the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022.
(Monroe County Correctional Facility/Getty Images)
Idaho murder house demolished
On December 28, the Idaho off-campus house on King Road, where the gruesome murders occurred, was dismantled, leaving an empty lot that once held the key to understanding the tragic events.
C Scott Green, the president of the University of Idaho, emphasized the house as a "grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there." The University of Idaho's decision to demolish the three-floor Idaho murder house prompted final visits from both prosecutors and defense attorneys before the new year.
Experts draw parallel between Bryan Kohberger case to the high-profile Alex Murdaugh murder
Defense attorney Mark NeJame expressed concerns about the impact of the demolition, stating, "The best evidence is the direct evidence; however, they're [the court] not always welcoming about letting people go to a scene like that," The Sun reports.
He highlighted the potential benefits of a jury visit, citing the example of the Murdaugh trial in early 2023 where jurors toured the crime scene before deliberation.
In the Murdaugh trial, jurors visited the Islanton property in South Carolina, gaining firsthand insight into the layout of the estate, including the house, cabin, swap lands, fields, forests, and dog kennels.
The visit played a crucial role in understanding spatial dynamics related to the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh in 2021.
NeJame emphasized the importance of such visits for jurors, enabling them to assess proximity, spatial issues, and potential conflicts in testimony.
As Kohberger awaits trial, held without bond at the Latah County Jail, legal proceedings unfold towards a potential summer trial date, with a motion hearing scheduled for January 26.
