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An Idaho judge has ruled that prosecutors can keep all digital evidence in the case against Bryan Kohberger. The prosecution's case includes a vast array of digital forensic evidence, including DNA analysis, cell phone tracking data, and surveillance footage.

The family of Kaylee Goncalves has expressed frustration over two years of delays in the case, stating, “This case is turning into a hamster wheel of motions, hearings, and delayed decisions.”

Judge Upholds Digital Evidence

Ada County Judge Steve Hippler recently denied multiple defense motions that sought to suppress various types of evidence. This decision marks another step forward in the prosecution's case against Kohberger as his trial date approaches.

Kohberger, a 29-year-old criminology graduate student at Washington State University, stands accused of the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen.

The victims were stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, in the early hours of November 13, 2022.

Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, in Pennsylvania and charged with four counts of murder. In May 2023, a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

The “Bushy Eyebrows” Selfie 

Among the substantial digital forensic evidence is a selfie taken by Kohberger, which was unsealed as part of the investigation. 

Prosecutors argue that the image was captured on the morning of November 13, 2022, mere hours after the murders. In the photo, Kohberger is seen smiling and giving a thumbs-up, an image the prosecution contends contradicts the seriousness of the crimes committed just hours before.

Prosecutors also highlight Kohberger’s "bushy eyebrows" in the selfie, which match descriptions provided by a surviving roommate who was present at the crime scene.

Genetic Genealogy Leads Investigators to Kohberger

On February 28, 2024, defense attorney Anne C. Taylor requested access to the investigative genetic genealogy evidence, which remains sealed, to examine how authorities first identified Kohberger as a suspect.

Genetic genealogy combines DNA analysis with genealogical research, such as family tree tracing. In this case, investigators discovered male DNA on the button snap of a leather knife sheath found at the crime scene.

FBI investigators uploaded the DNA profile to public genealogy databases, leading them to Kohberger. Prosecutors argue it provides a strong link between Kohberger and the crime scene.

Cell Phone Tracking Data and Surveillance Videos

On April 17, 2024, Kohberger’s defense filed a motion indicating they would present a cell phone tower and radio frequency expert to support his alibi that he was driving west of Moscow at the time of the murders.

Meanwhile, lead investigator Cpl. Brett Payne testified that law enforcement officials collected thousands of hours of surveillance footage to locate a white Hyundai Elantra associated with the suspect.

The footage is stored on multiple thumb drives, though Payne acknowledged there is no centralized inventory of the videos.

Payne further testified that none of the videos show the Elantra traveling south from Moscow toward Pullman, Washington, in the early hours following the murders.

However, the probable cause affidavit asserts that Kohberger drove south toward Pullman after committing the crimes.

Defense motions to suppress warrant-based evidence from AT&T, Google, and Amazon were also denied.

On March 6, 2025, text messages between the two surviving roommates were unsealed, along with the transcript of the 911 call made before first responders arrived at the crime scene.

Defense Claims Cell Phone Tracking Data Missing 

Cell phone geolocation expert Sy Ray testified that he had not received the full AT&T source data, or the complete list of nearby cell towers used to track Kohberger’s movements. Ray suggested that the missing information could be beneficial to the defense.

“Because of the piecemealing of the data, because of the missing data, because of data that I’m reviewing that is incredibly inaccurate, everything that is missing is absolutely to the benefit of the defense right now,” Ray stated.

DNA Evidence and Knife Purchase

Recently unsealed court documents revealed that Kohberger had purchased a Ka-Bar knife, a sheath, and a knife sharpener on Amazon eight months before the murders.

Prosecutors argue that these purchases further support the claim that the sheath found at the crime scene belonged to Kohberger.

On March 5, 2025, the defense filed a motion stating that a three-person mixture of unknown DNA was found under Mogen’s fingernails. The defense requested that this evidence be excluded from the trial, arguing that jurors might mistakenly believe the DNA belonged to Kohberger.

Defense attorney Anne Taylor also pointed out that unknown male DNA was discovered mixed with Kohberger’s DNA on a handrail at the house, and another unknown DNA sample was found on a glove outside the residence.

Additionally, she argued that no DNA from the crime scene was found inside Kohberger’s car or on his steering wheel.

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Judge Hippler ruled that while the presence of unknown male DNA does not exclude Kohberger, it could suggest the involvement of another party. However, he emphasized that Kohberger’s DNA on the knife sheath alone was sufficient to establish probable cause for his arrest.

Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin on August 11, 2025, with jury selection starting on July 30, 2025. As both the prosecution and defense prepare their cases, the digital and forensic evidence will likely play a critical role in determining the outcome of this high-profile trial.