A recent order issued by Latah County District Court Judge John Judge has allowed surveys conducted with potential jurors in the case against Bryan Kohberger to continue without modification. The surveys, which were temporarily paused, are now permitted to proceed as the defense team seeks a change of venue for Kohberger's trial.
The decision to halt the surveys was made on March 22 but was later lifted after discussions during hearings on April 4 and April 10. Defense attorney Anne C. Taylor emphasized the importance of the survey in light of the intense local media coverage surrounding the case.
Judge ruled that most of the survey questions did not violate the court's non-dissemination order, as they were based on information from the probable cause affidavit that was not sealed. While two questions were not part of the public record, they were later discussed in hearings and deemed permissible for inclusion in the surveys.
Despite acknowledging the potential for prejudicial information or misinformation about Kohberger in the survey questions, Judge deferred to the defense team's strategic decision to include them. The accused, a former criminology PhD student, stands accused of killing four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle.
In May 2023, a not guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf. The ongoing legal proceedings continue to draw attention as the defense prepares for trial in this high-profile case.
