Idaho massacre suspect gains access to training records of officers who investigated the mass murder case

Lawyers for Idaho massacre suspect Bryan Kohberger have successfully petitioned the judge in charge of his case to grant them access to the training records of three officers involved in the investigation. Latah County District Judge John Judge agreed to let Kohberger's attorneys view the material as they ramp up their efforts to challenge the credibility of the officers.

The former University of Washington student has pleaded not guilty to the murder of four University of Idaho students in November 2022, however, prosecutors have indicated that they intend to seek the death penalty if he is found to be at fault. 



According to the Daily Mail, Kohberger's attorneys said that they were not on a "fishing expedition," rather they had sought to gain access to the material to gather specific details.

The training records requested by the lawyers were for the officers who conducted "critical" interviews with witnesses and made decisions regarding the investigation.

One of Kohberger's lawyers said the documents may include "very relevant pieces of information," noting that "there is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty."

The murder suspect's team has centered their defense on trying to prove that the prosecution had not been transparent enough when it came to explaining how they obtained the DNA evidence that allegedly tied Kohberger to the crime.

Kohberger allegedly stabbed Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in their Moscow, Idaho home.

While prosecutors have pointed out that the genetic material found on a knife sheath at the scene was a "statistical match" to Kohberger's, his attorneys argued that none of the victims' DNA had appeared anywhere in his apartment, vehicle, or office, and that he actually had "no connection" with the four students. DNA from two other men was also said to have been found at the scene.

The team questioned the methods used to match the DNA, which included the use of databases from public genetic matchup sites, and asked to have access to more information regarding the procedure.