Suspect in Idaho college student murder plans to waive extradition trial, attorney says | CNN
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The Suspect in Four University of Idaho Student Murders His lawyer said it plans to waive his extradition hearing this week. to hasten him back to the Jewel State. He faces four counts of first degree murder.
Bryan Christopher Kohberger was “a bit shocked,” Jason LaBar, the chief public defender of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, told CNN Saturday. One day after a 28-year-old man was arrested in his home state on charges related to a fatal stabbing. of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen 21; Xana Kernodle 20 years; and Ethan Chapin, 20. He also faces burglary charges, according to Attorney Bill Thompson of Latah County, Idaho.
LaBar did not discuss the murder with the suspect when they spoke for about an hour on Friday evening. the lawyer said He added that he had no causal documents likely related to the case. And only represented Kohberger in his extradition issue, which lawyers called a “formality”.
“It’s a procedural issue and really the entire Commonwealth here has to prove that he resembles or is the person that was issued and that he was in the area at the time of the crime,” Labar said.
Tuesday’s extradition hearing waiver is “Obviously an easy decision,” says Labar, “since he didn’t dispute that he was Brian Kohberger.”
In a statement, LaBar stressed that his clients are presumed innocent until proven guilty, saying: “Mr. Kohberger is eager to have these allegations cleared and looks forward to resolving them. this as soon as possible.”
The arrest of the suspect, a PhD student at the Washington State University Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. confirmed by the school It came nearly seven weeks after the stabbed victim was found dead at his home off campus on November 13. Since then, investigation officer said they had conducted more than 300 interviews and made about 20,000 tips.
But authorities have not publicly confirmed the suspect’s motive. or even if he knew the victim Their deaths shocked college communities and cities around Moscow. No murder weapon was found either, Moscow Police Commissioner James Fry said Friday.
In the weeks following the killing Some community members became frustrated. Because investigators have yet to offer a detailed account of what happened tonight. Official disclosure of limited details including the victim’s activities leading up to the attack and persons they judge to be suspects.
Fry told reporters Friday that state law limits which agencies can disclose information before Kohberger makes his first appearance in an Idaho court. The plausible affidavit — detailing the factual basis of Kohberger’s allegations — was sealed until the suspect was in Latah County and received an Idaho subpoena. said Thompson
Researchers focus on Kohberger. as a suspect through DNA evidence And by confirming that he owned a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the scene. According to reports from two law enforcement sources that concluded the investigation. Authorities said he lived minutes from the scene of the stabbing.
He drives a Hyundai Elantra White crosses the country and arrives at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania for Christmas. according to law enforcement sources Authorities began tracking him at one point during his eastward journey from Idaho.
An FBI surveillance team followed him for 4 days before he was arrested. While law enforcement agencies work with prosecutors to develop sufficient grounds for an arrest warrant. Two law enforcement sources said.
Genetic genealogy techniques have been used to connect Kohberger to unidentified DNA evidence. Another source with knowledge of the matter told CNN. Sources stated that DNA is run through public databases to find likely matching family members. and subsequent investigations by law enforcement led to his identification as a suspect. the source said
LaBar confirmed that Kohberger, along with his father, drove from Idaho to Pennsylvania to celebrate the holidays with his family. A white Hyundai Elantra was found at LaBar’s parents’ home. said, which officers arrested Kohberger early Friday.
LaBar isn’t sure how quickly his customers will be returned to Idaho. As he intends to waive his right to extradition at his trial on Tuesday. It said it would depend on the authorities, but LaBar expects Kohberger to be returned to Idaho within 72 hours of processing.
