Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger’s preliminary hearing set for June

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News
Updated ·2 min read
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A preliminary hearing for Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was set for June 26 as he appeared in court Thursday for the second time.

Kohberger barely spoke during a brief status hearing in Latah County, Idaho, but confirmed he was waiving his right to a speedy preliminary hearing. He remains held without bail.

He has not entered a plea in connection with the Nov. 13 deaths of four University of Idaho students.

“Mr. Kohberger understands his right to a timely preliminary hearing, and he’s willing to waive the timeliness to allow us time to obtain discovery in this case,” his lawyer said Thursday.

Multiple cuts were visible on Kohberger’s face during Thursday’s court appearance.

Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary. Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin were found dead at an off-campus home near the university in Moscow, Idaho.

Kohberger, 28, was arrested in Pennsylvania in late December, more than a month after the students’ deaths. An autopsy determined the victims, who were in their early 20s, suffered multiple stab wounds.

Investigators found the suspect’s DNA on a knife sheath at the home, according to police.

Kohberger was extradited to Idaho last week and made his first court appearance Jan. 5.

Authorities released a probable cause affidavit last week detailing the Washington State University criminology Ph.D. candidate’s arrest. The document revealed the account of a surviving roommate who said the killer walked past her in the home on the morning of the murders.

The roommate allegedly heard multiple commotions after 4 a.m., including crying and a male voice saying “something to the effect of, ‘It’s OK, I’m going to help you,’” according to the affidavit.

The paperwork refers to that roommate as D.M. The two surviving roommates were previously identified as Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke.

“D.M. stated she opened her door for the third time after she heard the crying and saw a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her,” the affidavit says. She didn’t recognize the man, according to her statement, which continues, “The male walked past D.M. as she stood in a ‘frozen shock phase.”