Sophia Michaels
Bryan Kohberger has been the primary suspect in the murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen since his arrest. In order for the prosecution to be successful in their case against him, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was the perpetrator. However, the new Investigation Discovery documentary which aired on March 12, “The Idaho College Murders,” suggests that Kohberger’s defense team will use the prosecution’s burden of proof against them. According to Fox 13, Kohberger’s lawyer is public defense attorney Anne Taylor, who also previously represented two of the victims’ parents.
Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi, a former New York City homicide prosecutor, explains in the documentary how the defense could use the reputation of the murder scene to their advantage. Nicolazzi stated that the house where the murders occurred had been known as “THE house” for good parties for years, and that there were people coming in and out. This could be used by the defense to cast doubt on the idea that Kohberger was the only one who could have committed these crimes. If even one jury member finds this argument compelling and continuously votes that Kohberger is not guilty, then the trial could result in a hung jury and a mistrial.
