Lawyers for quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger have accused the FBI of interfering with a genetic tester’s trial by allegedly questioning her at home.
The 28-year-old Kohberger is on trial for the fatal knife attacks on students Kaylee Goncalves (21), Madison Mogen (21), Ethan Chapin (20) and Xana Kernodle (20) last November.
The suspect, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, remained silent recently while he was arraigned and the judge entered a not-guilty plea on each count on his behalf.
His lead attorney, Anne Taylor, said genetic genealogy expert Gabriella Vargas, who recently spoke in court about DNA matching, was harassed by the FBI shortly after she testified. Radar Online reports.
“She was visited by two FBI agents and questioned about her testimony and the results of her statement,” Taylor said.
The trial of four-time Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was postponed indefinitely in October after he waived his right to a speedy trial
(LR) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle
“This, in our view, compromises Kohberger’s rights to due process and his rights to federal counsel.”
Taylor also said he intends to file a motion on “what happens to witnesses after they testify in court.”
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson responded in court that he contacted the FBI to investigate after Vargas challenged portions of her own testimony.
He added, “The FBI agreed, and Ms. Vargas claimed that she inadvertently agreed to some of their statements or signed them without reading them in full.”
“We’re documenting that so we can share it with Ms. Taylor.”
Former FBI agent Tracy Walder narrated law and crime: “I don’t usually hear that when FBI agents visit a witness after he’s testified.”
While Kohberger was due to appear in court on October 2, it was postponed indefinitely after he waived his right to a speedy trial at his last court date on August 24 (pictured here).
“However, I think that’s largely down to perception and how Ms. Vargas felt during that discussion.”
“I would hope that plenty of notes are taken and I would hope that the FBI has a very good reason.”
While Kohberger was due to appear in court on October 2, it was indefinitely postponed after he waived his right to a speedy trial at his last court date on August 24.
No date has been set for the future process, which could now be in months or even years.
Judge John Judge confirmed to Kohberger whether he wished to waive his right to a speedy trial, to which the defendant replied, “Absolutely.”
Although prosecutors wanted to find a solution as soon as possible, they raised no objection – they agreed it was the best option at this point, local news channel KXLY reported.
