Bryan Kohberger, the former Washington State University Ph.D. student accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, is scheduled to appear in court today, May 15, 2025, for what is expected to be his final pretrial hearing before his trial begins in August.

Case Background

Kohberger, 30, faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the fatal stabbings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin at an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. He was arrested in December 2022 in Pennsylvania and has pleaded not guilty.

Pretrial Developments

The upcoming hearing in Boise is expected to address several key pretrial motions, including rulings on evidence admissibility and other procedural matters. Previously, a judge ruled that Kohberger’s immediate family members may attend the trial, even if they are called to testify, balancing his Sixth Amendment rights with the state’s interest in obtaining forthright testimony.

The trial is scheduled to commence on August 11, 2025, in Ada County, Idaho. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.