The man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death was back in court this week, challenging much of the evidence against him.
Prosecutors alleged that Bryan Kohberger murdered Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20 in November 2022. Some of the key evidence involves DNA evidence and the use of investigative genetic genealogy. The DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene, and that prosecutors say was matched to Kohberger, the Tacoma News Tribune reported.
"Investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG, is the process by which law enforcement will take a sample of DNA and initially probably run it through what's called CODIS, a federal criminal database. But if there's no hit there, then law enforcement can take that DNA to a genetic genealogy database and see if they can take information from that database to see if that sample is related to someone," ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire told the network.
Among the issues raised Thursday were:
- Defense attorney Ann Taylor questioned the reliability of statements made by a surviving roommate in the house, according to ABC: "There are two references to not remembering. And a couple of days later in the third interview, there are references to not remembering, being drunk."
- The defense argued that the FBI did not get a warrant to take trash from the home of Kohberger's parents, the Tacoma News Tribune reported. However, most states allow police to seize discarded material without a warrant if probable cause is established.
- Defense attorney's argued that police had established no link between Kohberger and the victims, the Tacoma News Tribune reported.
The evidentiary hearing continues Friday. The trial is scheduled to begin at the end of July with jury selection.
