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By Jenna Sundel
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The prosecution revealed that it no longer intends to rely on bank records from a surviving roommate as evidence in the Bryan Kohberger trial.
Why It Matters
Kohberger, 30, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
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Who Were the Victims of the Idaho Murders?
Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, in 2022.
Two roommates at the residence survived the attack, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen.
What To Know
Senior deputy prosecutor Ashley Jennings filed a reply to an objection raised by the defense on Monday. In the filing, Jennings said the state does not plan to introduce Bank of America records for "BF" and "XK."
She added that if the state does introduce the evidence, "it will lay the proper foundation at trial."
The state said it also does not intend to rely on "TJX" financial records and Umpqua bank records for "DM."
On March 17, the defense objected to a list of evidence submitted by prosecutors for admission to trial, arguing that it contained "terabytes of discovery."
"Before any of these records are admitted, they must first be relevant," defense attorney Anne Taylor wrote in the filing.
The reply filed by the prosecution on Monday also contained several exhibits it intends to introduce at trial, including what appears to be an assignment Kohberger completed at DeSales University entitled "Crime-scene Scenario Final."
The 12-page document gives a step-by-step guide on how to process a crime scene. The assignment also references the equipment required for the investigation, including "gloves to protect the scene from contamination."
Jennings said the document would be introduced to show Kohberger's "knowledge of crime scenes."
"As far as I know, this was a typical assignment for students enrolled in the course," Carolyn Steigleman, vice president of marketing and communications at DeSales University, told Newsweek.
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
Kohberger, a Pennsylvania native, was pursuing a PhD in criminology at Washington State University at the time of the killings. The university's campus in Pullman, Washington, is located less than eight miles from Moscow.
Kohberger also worked as a teaching assistant at the school. He was terminated from the role about two weeks before he was arrested.
Bryan Kohberger Trial: What to Know
Kohberger's trial is scheduled to begin on August 11, with jury selection starting in late July.
Did Bryan Kohberger Take a Selfie After the Murders?
In a court filing last week, the prosecution said it intends to introduce a photo of Kohberger taken at 10:31 a.m. on November 13, 2022, just hours after he allegedly killed the four University of Idaho students.
What People Are Saying
Jennings, in a reply filed Monday: "It is also understood that admission would be dependent on the State showing the relevance of the evidence."
Taylor, in an objection filed March 17: "Mr. Kohberger objects to the State's request that is a large sweep with [a] free pass for admissibility. The State's request is premature, excessively broad and must be denied until the request can be disclosed specifically and properly litigated."
What Happens Next
The next hearing in Kohberger's case is scheduled for April 9.
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Update 3/27/2025 4:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Carolyn Steigleman, vice president of marketing and communications at DeSales University.
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