Bryan Kohberger’s lead lawyer has accused the public of bias against her client, who is suspected of killing four University of Idaho students, after Latah County residents called police to report a defense expert had contacted them for a survey. The survey is part of the defense’s attempt to gather evidence ahead of a change of venue hearing, in which Kohberger’s team will try to have the case moved to a larger jurisdiction with more people in the jury pool. Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson has requested a court ban on both sides from contacting potential jurors, which Kohberger’s defense team alleges is an attempt to skirt due process.
The defense hired a social psychologist named Bryan Edelman to conduct the polling, with questions about “media influence” that some have criticized as not factually correct. However, Edelman denied violating the gag order with his questions, stating that none of the information included was not widely reported and available in the public domain. Thompson accused the defense of violating a sealed court order regarding the survey by discussing case specifics and disclosing inadmissible trial information, leading the judge to ban juror contact “until further notice” and schedule a hearing to address the motions.
Juror contact is typically forbidden, but surveys have been used in the past to bolster defense attorneys’ arguments for a change of venue. The case involving Kohberger, who had studied violent criminals and was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University, took place just a short distance from where four University of Idaho students were murdered in a home invasion stabbing attack. Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene, and his car and cellphone were also placed near the scene, according to court documents.
The defense’s actions and the prosecutor’s response have led to tensions in the legal proceedings, with accusations of due process violations and discussions of potentially biased juror pools. The judge has intervened to ban contact with potential jurors until further notice, pending a hearing on the matter. Both sides are expected to present their arguments for or against the change of venue and the implications of the juror survey, as they work towards establishing a fair trial environment for the case involving the murders of four young students.
As the legal battle continues, issues of bias, due process, and potential influence from media reporting and surveys have become central to the proceedings surrounding Bryan Kohberger’s case. The complexity of the situation, including technicalities surrounding court orders and jury selection procedures, adds layers of complication to the already challenging task of ensuring a fair trial and just outcome for all involved. The upcoming hearing will play a crucial role in determining the next steps in the legal process and may provide further insight into the strategies and motivations of both the defense and prosecution teams in this high-profile murder case.
