Idaho murders case: Bryan Kohberger's lawyers visit crime scene ahead of house's planned demolition

MOSCOW, IDAHO: The defense team for Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students, gained access to the off-campus house where the tragedy unfolded.

His lawyers are reportedly working tirelessly to gather essential documentation before the rental house, located just a block from the university campus in Moscow, Idaho, is razed to the ground on December 28, as per CBS. 

Kohberger's defense team apparently accessed the home on Thursday, December 14, and was expected to do so again on Friday. 

Notably, the university's decision to demolish the house stems from the desire to mitigate the impact of the tragic deaths on the surrounding student community.

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."

Bryan Kohberger pleads not guilty to the murder of the University of Idaho students

Kohberger faces four counts of murder in connection with the deaths of University of Idaho students - Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20 - who were fatally stabbed in an off-campus house on November 13, 2022.

He was apprehended after his DNA was allegedly found on a knife sheath at the crime scene. Moreover, according to a court document, Kohberger's cellphone pinged close to the house about 12 times before the murders.

A not-guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf earlier this year, while Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson expressed his intention to seek the death penalty. However, a trial date has not yet been set.

Victim's family pleas to delay demolition of house connected to the University of Idaho murders

Goncalves' family has vehemently opposed the demolition, asserting the house's importance in the case against Kohberger.

In a statement, their attorney, Shanon Gray, said, "The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case."

A judge has imposed a gag order, preventing the prosecution, defense attorneys, and law enforcement officials from discussing the case.

Additionally, the judge has restricted media and public access to cameras and audio recording devices in the courtroom, although a live stream will be available on the court's YouTube channel.