A man accused of murdering four students in the United States claims he was ‘driving alone’ when they were killed.
Bryan Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder after students Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both aged 21, and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in Idaho on November 13.
They were in an off-campus home in Moscow at the time. However, Kohberger’s attorney has now revealed he intends to use an alibi defence when he stands trial.
It comes after prosecutors lodged a motion to get Kohberger to share his exact location and any witnesses who could testify to his whereabouts at the time of their deaths.
Defense attorney Anne Taylor says Kohberger was on a “long drive” when the four students died. According to CNN, a filing on Kohberger’s behalf states: “Mr. Kohberger has long had a habit of going for drives alone.
“Often he would go for drives at night. He did so late on November 12 and into November 13, 2022.
“Mr. Kohberger is not claiming to be at a specific location at a specific time; at this time there is not a specific witness to say precisely where Mr. Kohberger was at each moment of the hours between late night November 12, 2022 and early morning November 13, 2022. He was out, driving during the late night and early morning hours of November 12-13, 2022.”
The attorney does however recognize the use of an alibi requires a specific location. However, their objection says “Kohberger has complied to the extent possible at this time.”
“Corroborating evidence may come from cross examination of state’s witnesses. Corroborating evidence may come from presentation of defense experts. Mr. Kohberger is aware of and will comply with his continuing duty to disclose information,” the objection says.
The filing also asks for Kohberger to be exempt from further inquiry. It does however says he is “prepared to provide further detail in an ex parté hearing with the court.”
A not guilty plea has been entered on his behalf, and his trial is set for October.
