Authorities said Wednesday that a grand jury indicted Bryan Kohberger on murder and burglary charges in the November stabbings of four University of Idaho students.
Prosecutors had previously accused Kohberger, 28, of murder, and he is currently incarcerated in Idaho. The indictment was verified by the Latah County District Court clerk’s office for The news Media.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on one count of burglary and four charges of first-degree murder on Monday morning. He has not yet entered a guilty or not guilty plea.
According to the indictment documents, the grand jury’s accusations were presented in court on Tuesday. He faces four counts of first-degree murder as well as one count of burglary.
A district court judge sealed the names of all witnesses called before the grand jury on Wednesday.
Due to the indictment, a preliminary hearing set for June 26 was canceled since the grand jury’s determination that there is enough evidence to prosecute Kohberger prohibits a preliminary hearing under Idaho state law.
In general, a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to move a matter to district court for additional proceedings during a preliminary hearing. In Idaho, a grand jury can conduct an investigation in secret, which includes gathering evidence and hearing witness testimony. If a grand jury indicts someone, their case is sent to district court.
Kohberger is accused of stabbing the four college students to death in November after breaking into their off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, at 4 a.m., according to prosecutors.
Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, all 21, and Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, were slain. They received posthumous degrees during the university’s graduation ceremony earlier this month.
After putting together physical and digital evidence that led them to Kohberger, a Washington State University criminal justice graduate student, officials waited weeks to designate a suspect and arrest him.
The murders shook the Washington State and University of Idaho campuses. The case also became famous online, sparking wild speculation among true crime fans.
After being detained, Kohberger maintained his innocence through a public defender. Lawyers, law enforcement authorities, and anyone engaged in the case are not permitted to speak publicly about it. A consortium of journalistic companies, including The Washington Saga, is fighting the gag order in court.
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