Idaho college killings: Prosecutors ask for trial to be set for summer 2024

Idaho college killings: Prosecutors ask for trial to be set for summer 2024

Prosecutors leading the case against Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four Idaho college students last fall, are asking for his trial to be scheduled for the summer of 2024, and that the timeframe of the trial steers clear of the academic calendar for all area high schools and universities.

In a new filing Thursday, prosecutors note Moscow High School's close proximity to the courthouse -- especially in light of the expected media presence and other increase in activity whenever the capital murder trial does kick off -- and want to preserve public safety and convenience as much as possible.

Prosecutors also said Kohberger's team has already had enough opportunity to offer an alibi, and asked that the judge consider the matter addressed and closed.

PHOTO: In this June 27, 2023, file photo, Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho.  (Pool/Getty Images. FILE)
PHOTO: In this June 27, 2023, file photo, Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho. (Pool/Getty Images. FILE)

They also asked that deadlines be set for both parties to complete discovery, pretrial motions and to disclose who they're planning to call for expert witnesses, as well as for jury questionnaire proposals, jury instructions, and the like.

The trial was originally set to begin on Oct. 2 and was indefinitely delayed after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial.

MORE: Dad of slain Idaho student pleads with public for help: 'I have to have my justice'

In their new filing Thursday, prosecutors suggested that the judge now put a status conference on the books to schedule everything anew.

(MORE: University of Idaho murders: The timeline of events)

No firm date for the trial has yet been set. The University of Idaho's spring semester ends on May 10, 2024. Moscow High School's classes end in the first full week of June.

Prosecutors allege that in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University, broke into an off-campus home and stabbed to death the University of Idaho students: Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.

PHOTO: In this Nov. 16, 2022, file photo, flowers were left at the house where four University of Idaho students were found dead, in Moscow, Idaho. (Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images, FILE)
PHOTO: In this Nov. 16, 2022, file photo, flowers were left at the house where four University of Idaho students were found dead, in Moscow, Idaho. (Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images, FILE)

After a six-week hunt, police zeroed in on Kohberger as a suspect. He was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, at his family's home in Pennsylvania. He was indicted in May and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

He declined to offer a plea at his arraignment, so the judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

MORE: Idaho college murders: Home where students were killed to be demolished at end of semester

Lawyers for Kohberger have previously said he was driving around alone on the night when the killings occurred, and wasn't in the home.

If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.

ABC News' Julie Scott contributed to this report.

Idaho college killings: Prosecutors ask for trial to be set for summer 2024 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com