A woman and a man sit at a black table in a courtroom. A TV screen, with the judge pictured, is to the left of them.

Judge grants change of venue request for man accused of University of Idaho killings

By Lauren Paterson
A woman and a man sit at a black table in a courtroom. A TV screen, with the judge pictured, is to the left of them.
Bryan Kohberger, center, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, listens during a hearing in Latah County District Court on Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Credit: Ted S. Warren / AP Photo)

Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, made a request to hold his trial in a different Idaho county earlier this year. Judge John Judge has granted his request. 

The judge gave multiple reasons for granting Kohberger’s motion to change venue. 

Judge said he is concerned local residents already assume Kohberger is guilty. Extensive national news coverage about the case and false theories on social media were some of the reasons listed in the order.

Judge said security is also an issue. He said the Latah County Sheriff’s office, even when fully staffed, doesn’t have enough officers to provide security for the trial.

Kohberger’s team argued in court last month that the trial should be moved to Ada County, home of Idaho’s largest city, Boise. But the new venue has not been decided, and will be assigned by the Idaho Supreme Court.

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