Idaho prosecutors have requested a summer trial for murder suspect Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with killing four college students. The Latah County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed a court document on Thursday, asking the judge to schedule a jury trial for about six weeks, including the sentencing phase, during the summer of 2024. The prosecution specifically requested trial dates outside of the regular academic calendar to avoid coinciding with local high school and college classes. The proximity of Moscow High School to the courthouse has already strained parking and safety for pedestrians, including students, due to the increased media presence related to the case.

Moreover, prosecutors argued that a summer trial would ensure more availability of local accommodations, as lodging often becomes unavailable during university-related activities such as sporting events and graduations. The prosecution also suggested a daily trial schedule from 8:30 a.m. to around 3 p.m., providing jurors with time to manage their personal affairs during the lengthy commitment. Kohberger's trial was originally scheduled to begin in October, but he waived his right to a speedy trial in August, resulting in an indefinite delay.

Bryan Kohberger, a graduate student at Washington State University, was arrested last December at his family's home in Pennsylvania and extradited to Idaho. He is being held while awaiting trial, and he has denied any involvement in the murders. The victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were fatally stabbed at their off-campus rental home in Moscow in November of the previous year.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has stated his intention to seek the death penalty for Kohberger. In the recent court filing, the prosecution requested a hearing to establish deadlines for filing necessary documents, including discovery, witness lists, and jury instructions, to meet the proposed start date for the trial. They also asked the judge to deny further chances for the defense to file an alibi notice, arguing that the defendant has already been given that opportunity.

Kohberger's defense team previously objected to the state's motion to compel an alibi, stating that he often went for drives alone, including on the night of the murders. The defense argued that Kohberger does not claim to have been at a specific location at a specific time during the hours when the crimes occurred.

In October, the judge rejected the defense's motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment against Kohberger, citing an "error in jury instructions." The defense claimed that the burden of proof presented to the grand jury, "probable cause," was not the standard in Idaho and should have been "beyond a reasonable doubt." However, the judge maintained that probable cause was the appropriate standard for indictment.

The recent request for a summer trial and the denial of additional opportunities for the defense to file an alibi notice indicate that the legal proceedings are progressing, with both the prosecution and defense preparing for the upcoming trial. The trial's outcome will determine the fate of Bryan Kohberger, who could face the death penalty if convicted of the four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.