'The process is being abused': Attorneys for accused U of I killer want hearings open to public

MOSCOW, Idaho - Arguing that he deserves fair and public pre-trial proceedings, attorneys for accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger will ask a judge Thursday not to close an upcoming hearing in the case.

Prosecutors have asked the court to close an upcoming hearing to the public in which the defense will ask the judge to compel the state to hand over certain evidence.

Prosecutors argue that some of the material introduced has already been sealed and both sides could be damaged if that information is made public in a court hearing.

"There exists a compelling interest at stake to preserve a fair trial; and no reasonable alternative exists but to conduct a closed hearing," write Ashley Jennings, Senior Deputy Prosecutor.

Kohberger's defense team objects to the motion, saying "there is simply no legitimate reason that a motion to compel discovery should be shielded from the public."

Public Defender Anne Taylor writes that the process of sealing "is being abused by the State and its law enforcement agents; including the FBI to hide how discovery is being withheld in this case."

Taylor has argued the State hasn't turned over all the evidence requested in a timely manner and says "this request to deny Mr. Kohberger an open hearing is a clear violation of his right to a public trial."

Many of the motions filed in the high-profile case have been filed under seal.

For the most part, motions have been heard in open court and also streamed on the judge's YouTube page.

Judge John Judge will consider the motion to close the hearing on this matter Thursday morning at 10 am. We'll stream the hearing on kxly+ and kxly.com.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

The judge has not yet set a trial date, but it won't happen until at least spring of 2025.

Kohberger faces the death penalty if convicted.

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