Kelly, however, has suggested that even this evidence might have been planted.
“Even the knife sheath may have been staged,” he told Fox News Digital, arguing that the “USMC”-stamped Ka-Bar sheath might have been intentionally left behind to divert attention toward someone with military ties.
“This is staging 101,” he said. “They’re going to look at this, and they’re going to think it’s a military guy that did this – some guy with some kind of training who lives up the road.”
Authorities later confirmed that the DNA on the sheath matched a familial sample taken from trash at Kohberger’s parents’ home, over 2,500 miles away.
Kohberger, who has pleaded not guilty, is awaiting trial. Prior to securing a change of venue, Latah County Judge John Judge entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf during his arraignment in May 2023.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
