BOISE, Idaho — Lawyers for accused quadruple murderer, Bryan Kohberger, filed a motion Friday requesting he be allowed to wear street clothes to all public hearings.
Kohberger’s legal team asked permission from the case’s new judge, Steven Hippler, that he not be required to wear “criminally-associated garb”, such as an orange prison jumpsuit, to his hearings.
In the motion filed on September 20, his lead lawyer, Ann Taylor, argues that prison clothes could “impact the presumption of innocence.”
“Defense lawyers nationally have long argued that jailhouse garb can cause observers to see someone as guilty,” reads the motion.
The motion also references the case’s media coverage and claims many of the stories focus on Kohberger’s appearance.
“Authorizing Mr. Kohberger to wear street clothing to all public hearings is one way to reduce potential for prejudice,” it states.
The trial recently moved out of Latah County to Ada County after the defense successfully argued their case to the Idaho Supreme Court that Kohberger would be unable to have an unbiased jury in Ada County due to media coverage and speculation.
Aside from his initial hearings in Latah County, Kohberger wore a suit or shirt and tie to all of his appearances.
He is set to appear for his first Ada County hearing no September 26.
Kohberger is accused of killing Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in 2022.
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