University of Idaho stabbing suspect agrees to extradition from Pennsylvania
01/03/2023 4:02 pm PST
STROUDSBURG, Pa. (TCD) -- The 28-year-old man accused of killing four University of Idaho students agreed in court Tuesday to be extradited back to Idaho to be formally charged with four counts of murder.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested Dec. 29 in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, for allegedly stabbing and killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle in the early hours of Nov. 13. He has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of burglary.
According to The Associated Press, Pennsylvania State Police troopers took Kohberger into custody at his parents' house, and he appeared in court Tuesday for his extradition hearing. He will reportedly return to Idaho within 10 days, which was ordered by the court.
In a press conference Friday, Dec. 30, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said Kohberger’s probable cause affidavit will remain sealed until he arrives in Idaho and is taken into custody.
Kohberger is reportedly a Ph.D. student at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, studying criminology. Pullman is about a 15-minute drive from the University of Idaho.
The Associated Press reports DNA evidence found during the investigation allegedly helped police identify Kohberger as a suspect.
At the press conference, Moscow Police Chief James Fry said investigators seized a Hyundai Elantra at Kohberger’s parents' home after they had been searching for information regarding the same vehicle seen in the area of the night of the stabbings.
The weapon used in the killings, however, has reportedly not been found yet.
Kohberger’s attorney in Pennsylvania, Jason LaBar, said on “Today” that Kohberger’s family "can’t believe this; they’re obviously shocked."
LaBar added, "This is certainly completely out of character, the allegations, and really they’re just trying to be supportive with the understanding these four families have suffered loss, so they’re sympathetic towards that, and that’s why it should remain really private and they don’t want to try this case in the court of public opinion."
The attorney also said Kohberger "believes he’s going to be exonerated."
Police are still investigating the motive behind the killings of the four students.
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