MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Judge denies Bryan Kohberger motions, upholds DNA and digital evidence in murder trial

Feb 20, 2025, 4:00 AM | Updated: Feb 21, 2025, 3:39 pm

Photo: Bryan Kohberger, left, sits with his attorney, public defender Anne Taylor, right, during a ...

(Photo: Ted S. Warren - Pool, Getty Images)

(Photo: Ted S. Warren - Pool, Getty Images)

A judge has rejected multiple requests from Bryan Kohberger’s defense team to suppress evidence in his murder trial. This evidence includes genetic data and digital records from Google, Apple, and Amazon.

Ada County Judge Steven Hippler ruled that law enforcement did not violate Kohberger’s constitutional rights during the searches leading to his arrest.

The motion sought to toss genetic evidence obtained through forensic genealogy, which helped identify Kohberger as a suspect. The court found no violation, as only publicly available databases were used.

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Judge rejects Bryan Kohberger’s request to exclude digital evidence

Kohberger’s defense also requested a hearing to examine potential misleading of the court in obtaining warrants. The judge rejected this motion as well, stating that the genetic information provided would have strengthened the probable cause.

Additionally, the court upheld digital evidence from Kohberger’s accounts with Google, Apple, Amazon, and AT&T, dismissing claims that the FBI’s subpoenas constituted warrantless searches.

The court confirmed that the search warrants for Kohberger’s Google data and phone information were legally valid.

Kohberger is charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder related to the killings of four University of Idaho students.

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Judge denies Bryan Kohberger motions, upholds DNA and digital evidence in murder trial