Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, who has been accused of killing four University of Idaho students, are asking that his trial be delayed.
The court filing cites that a recent NBC “Dateline” special has caused prejudice towards Kohberger and that they now need additional time to prepare.
The defense also believes that moving forward would infringe on Kohberger’s constitutional rights.
The episode implied that some of the broadcasted information was not publicly available. The documents indicated that the details were sourced from individuals familiar with the investigation.
Kohberger’s legal team also expressed worries about a forthcoming book on the matter. They argue that the book’s promotional material suggests that the information leaked to the Dateline team was not an isolated event.
“A continuance is necessary to thoroughly investigate the leaks and to counteract the prejudicial impact of such inflammatory pretrial publicity occurring so near the current trial date,” it stated.
Wendy Olson, center, an attorney representing a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press, speaks during a hearing in Latah County District Court, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho, after asking Second District Judge John C. Judge to continue to allow cameras in the courtroom in the trial of Bryan Kohberger, second from left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
Forensic expert and Jacksonville State University Professor Joseph Scott Morgan told Fox News Digital there’s a risk that the TV episode on Kohberger will taint the jury pool.
“I think the first place you have to look is the tainting of the pool, of the jury pool,” Morgan said. “Progressively, it becomes more and more difficult because people form opinions, they put things out there that are not true, and you still have yet to pick a jury. And it’s not like you’re going to Manhattan. You’re talking about Ada County, Idaho. You have a limited pool of potential jurors there.”
Fox New Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
