BOISE, Idaho — Attorneys for the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students are asking a judge to delay his scheduled murder trial while apparent leaks are investigated.
Bryan Kohberger’s defense team is asking for the postponement, in part, due to a recent Dateline special in which Judge Steven Hippler believes confidential information about the case was leaked.
In the motion filed Ada County court, the defense says some of the non-public materials aired in the special lack reliability and “promote a narrative of guilt.” The defense calls the apparent leak “an egregious violation” of the gag order.
In the aftermath of the special, Judge Hippler ordered documents and records to be held while the leak is investigated.
The motion also says an upcoming book by author James Patterson, set to be released a few weeks before the trial, suggests other sources have leaked information.
The defense says this publicity creates unfair prejudice against Kohberger.
In addition, the defense says the non-dissemination order violations could warrant more severe penalties than a continuance.
The full motion can be read below.
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