Family of Slain Idaho Student Rejects Accused Killer's New Alibi Claim

The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus rental house in November 2022, has rejected a new alibi claim from the accused killer, Bryan Kohberger. In a recent court filing, Kohberger claimed he was out on one of his customary nighttime drives "to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars" at the time of the killings.

However, the Goncalves family stated that this alibi is "in direct conflict" with the arrest affidavit, which shows that Kohberger's phone was turned off during the crucial hours before and after the murders. "If this alibi had any weight, it would have been submitted months ago," the family said, expressing frustration with the slow pace of the case.

Why this matters: The rejection of Kohberger's alibi by the victim's family adds another layer to the high-profile murder case that has gripped the nation. It also highlights the importance of cell phone data and other digital evidence in modern criminal investigations.

Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University at the time of the murders, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors have tied him to the crime scene through DNA evidence found on a knife sheath, surveillance footage, and cell phone activity. Kohberger's attorneys have sought to cast doubt on the strength of the DNA evidence.

The Goncalves family stated that they feel more confident in the prosecution's case following the submission of Kohberger's alibi. "We are even more convinced of Kohberger's guilt," they said. A hearing regarding the trial location is scheduled for June 27, but no trial date has been set. The judge has indicated that the trial is unlikely to take place before the summer of 2025. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.

Key Takeaways

• Victim's family rejects Kohberger's alibi claim as conflicting with evidence.
• Prosecutors tied Kohberger to crime scene through DNA, surveillance, and cell data.
• Victim's family feels more confident in prosecution's case after Kohberger's alibi.
• Trial unlikely to happen before summer 2025; Kohberger faces possible death penalty.
• Case highlights importance of digital evidence in modern criminal investigations.