On a winter afternoon this past Friday, the world learned that we are no closer to a set trial date than we were when the day began. 
As the case of the Idaho 4 has moved into 2024, there is no set date for defendant Bryan Kohberger to go on trial. The Pennsylvania native is accused of killings University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
So, with no trial date in the near future, the four families are left with more uncertainty, questions than answers and so on.
At last Friday’s court hearing, the prosecution stated it could be ready for trial as soon as this summer. The state and others were shooting for a summer trial of perhaps six weeks, looking to avoid disruption for nearby Moscow High students, University of Idaho students, and even nearby Washington State University students, about a 10-minute drive across the border in Pullman.
Meantime, the defense has said that it was more inclined to go with a trial later in 2025. According to lead attorney Anne Taylor, there is no way those defending Kohberger could successfully review all the evidence (videos, photos, testimony from the experts on the case etc.) by this summer.
As it stands now, we are no closer to a trial than when we headed into last Friday’s court hearing, one of several that day.
While each of these teams (prosecution, defense) do not employ tons of people, one would think there are enough available to review all the relevant pieces of the puzzle and have a trial ready to go by this summer. While I do not feel this a delay tactic by the defense team, I do think that it is feasible to get the work done in time to go to trial later this year. Although I do understand the desire to avoid a trial while classes are in session at nearby schools, we might be a little too fixated on summer schedules. If the trial has to go on in the fall of 2024 or even next winter or spring, do it.
Finally, thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the four victims. No parent, sister, brother etc. should have to sit in limbo as they wait for their loved ones to hopefully get justice. Whether Kohberger is the killer or there are others out there involved, justice needs to come to the families sooner than later.
For those following the case, do you think a trial would be feasible by this summer or do you agree that later in 2025 is a more reasonable date?
DavidAlanThomas 