Kohberger defense team plans to argue knife sheath planted by ‘real killer’

A recent court filing has shed new light on the defense strategy for Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho college quadruple murder case. The defense team is preparing to argue that the knife sheath found at the crime scene may have been planted by the real killer. This revelation comes from a sealed defense filing summarized by prosecutors in a filing released on Tuesday.

The prosecutors stated that the defense plans to challenge the DNA evidence found on the knife sheath, which was believed to belong to Kohberger. The defense’s expert disclosures suggest that they will argue that this DNA evidence does not definitively prove Kohberger was at the crime scene and that the knife sheath could have been tampered with by the true perpetrator.

The murders of four University of Idaho students, including Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, occurred in November 2022 in Moscow, Idaho. Investigators found a three-person mixture of DNA under Mogen’s fingernails, leading them to Kohberger as a person of interest. He was arrested in December 2022 in connection with the deaths.

Kohberger’s defense team has been critical of the investigative genetic genealogy research that linked him to the murders. They have questioned the credibility of this method and sought to undermine its use in the case. The defense also plans to call an expert in forensic biology and DNA to testify about the DNA found on the knife sheath.

Dr. Leah Larkin, a genetic genealogist, testified that she believes the FBI violated internal policies and terms of service of genealogy databases in their investigation. The defense has argued that inconclusive testing of DNA samples and independent testing conducted for the defense ruled out Kohberger as a contributor.

In a redacted motion, defense attorney Bicka Barlow raised concerns about the FBI’s use of genealogy databases not intended for law enforcement searches. The FBI defended their actions, pointing to a judge’s ruling that found no violation of Kohberger’s constitutional rights.

Kohberger’s trial is set to begin on August 11, with the possibility of facing the death penalty if convicted. Fox News Digital reached out to Kohberger’s attorney for comment. This case continues to be a complex and high-profile investigation, with the defense team raising questions about the evidence against their client.