In a complex quadruple homicide case near the University of Idaho campus, attorneys representing Bryan Kohberger, the suspected killer, called witnesses on Thursday to compel the prosecution to turn over more evidence that supports his alibi. Kohberger is accused of murdering Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. If convicted, he faces the death penalty, although no trial date has been set yet.

Attorneys from both sides are currently sifting through thousands of pieces of evidence as they prepare for trial. The defense has previously asserted that Kohberger was not present at the scene of the crimes, claiming he was out driving and stargazing that fateful night.

During a morning hearing on Thursday, the defense called two witnesses to testify about surveillance videos and cell phone records. Brett Payne, the case agent employed by the Moscow Police Department, took the stand and was questioned about the surveillance cameras collected from homes and businesses. Defense attorney Anne Taylor raised concerns about some of the videos not yet being turned over, specifically focusing on surveillance along US-95 heading south out of Moscow.

Payne stated that a significant amount of video surveillance had been collected but referred Taylor to the evidence custodian for further information. When asked by the defense whether Kohberger had used US-95 south of Moscow, Payne indicated that the suspect could have taken several routes and that the police were unsure of the exact path he had chosen.

The defense then called Sy Ray, a geolocation and cell phone records analysis expert, to testify. Ray emphasized his role in analyzing the geolocation data, specifically focusing on Kohberger's mobile device. The defense intends to use Ray's testimony to demonstrate that Kohberger's phone was located south of Pullman, Washington and west of Moscow, Idaho on November 13, 2022. This would refute the possibility of his device being the one captured on video near Floyd's Cannabis shop along the Moscow-Pullman Highway.

Ray informed the court that approximately 2-3% of the cell phone data in the case had not been turned over, which he believed could be vital to both sides. He added that the information he had analyzed so far was exculpatory, benefiting Kohberger's case.

Following the witnesses' testimonies, the defense requested that prosecutors turn over federal grand jury subpoenas used in the case. They aim to establish a timeline of the investigation and explore concerns related to "alternate suspects." However, prosecutors claimed that they did not have the grand jury subpoenas, as they typically came from a federal agency and were not handed over as a matter of course.

In a separate closed hearing scheduled for later that day, witnesses were expected to testify about the investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) technique used in the case. Prosecutors uploaded DNA found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene, ultimately connecting it to Kohberger through a public genealogy website. The defense has expressed skepticism regarding this process and demanded more evidence regarding its validity.

Prosecutors argued that the IGG evidence was not crucial to their case since they had a DNA match to Kohberger through a cheek swab collected during his arrest.

As the legal proceedings continue, both sides are striving to present and obtain all relevant evidence necessary to determine the truth in this devastating quadruple homicide case.