MOSCOW, Idaho – Bryan Kohberger’s defense team accused the residents of Latah County of being biased in a Monday filing criticizing a March 22 judge order prohibiting the prosecution and defense from surveying potential jurors.
Kohberger’s team argued that his fourth amendment right to due process was violated by the March 22 order from Judge John Judge, as the defense is not allowed to survey potential jurors for biases under the order.
The defense team argued that the no contact order signified a larger problem with how Kohberger’s case has progressed through the justice system.
“Due to the bias and interconnectivity in Latah County, citizens called police and the prosecutor about the survey,” the defense said. “The ability of a prosecutor to have an order signed by a judge within the same building, within a few hours of the filing, and a specific fear the Defense had articulated to the State during the March 21, 2024 meeting, is evidence of the State’s intention to facilitate a due process violation.”
State prosecutors criticized the defense, arguing that Kohberger’s attorneys were challenging the judge over an order which maintains the judicial standards of the trial.
“The Nondissemination Order plays a vital role in protecting the integrity of the trial,” prosecutors said.
Jurors have yet to be selected in the quadruple murder case, which will not begin until the court makes a final decision on whether prosecution or defense attorneys can contact potential jurors.
