Bryan Kohberger's defense claims Idaho murders suspect has 'no connection' with victims

Bryan Kohberger's defense team tore into prosecutors' DNA collection, use of genetic genealogy and tracking of a white sedan that allegedly linked their client to the murders of four University of Idaho students.

DNA from three other unidentified males was found at the crime scene, including on a glove found outside the Moscow, Idaho, home where Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were killed in November, according to the June 22 court filing. 

"It remains unclear what the police first relied on in focusing their investigation on Mr. Kohberger," his lawyers wrote in court documents that challenged law enforcement's use of genetic genealogy and questioned how police knew to look for a white Elantra. 

"No matter what came first, the car or the genetic genealogy, the investigation has provided precious little," Kohberger's defense team argued. "There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims."

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Kohberger's lawyers said they are "unaware of what testing, if any, was conducted" on those three DNA samples, the court document says

He is accused of killing four Idaho students in an off-campus rental home on Nov. 13, 2022. 

The prosecution's latest filing detailed how authorities came to believe DNA from a knife sheath found near Mogen's body belonged to Kohberger, which was a "statistical match" to DNA from a cheek swab after his arrest.

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Police used relatively new and publicly available investigative genetic genealogy techniques, according to the court documents, and the FBI began checking the sample against publicly available DNA databases and subscription-only archives exclusive to law enforcement.

Ultimately, investigators developed a lead and collected a DNA sample from the trash outside the Kohbergers’ Pennsylvania home, found a familial match and collected samples directly from the suspect after his arrest. 

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WATCH: HOW GENETIC GENEALOGY HELPED IDENTIFY KOHBERGER AS A SUSPECT

However, the defense questioned how law enforcement narrowed the focus to Kohberger and argued prosecutors do not have a right to FBI data unearthed through genetic genealogy sites.

They claimed prosecutors are purposely withholding details of the genetic genealogy profile that was created. 

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"A massive investigation came to focus on (Kohberger) and (Kohberger) alone," his defense team argued. "The State appears to be trying to hide its original domino such that he cannot discover why."

In last week's filing, the defense argued this information should be released in detail. 

READ: FULL COURT FILING

"In essence, through the lack of disclosure and their motion to protect the genetic genealogy investigation, the State is hiding its entire case."

Kohberger has been held in jail without bail since he was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania in late December. 

A judge has entered not guilty pleas for Kohberger in his case. His trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2, and he could face the death penalty if he is convicted.

Man mugs woman at gunpoint, then slides into DMs to ask for date: 'too pretty to rob'

An Indianapolis woman said she was left shaken after being robbed at gunpoint outside of her home, only for the suspect to message her on Facebook and ask her out on a date. 

Amber Beraun said she was checking her mailbox early one morning last month when a man approached her and pulled out a firearm.

"I had a man come up and try to rob me at gunpoint after I got off work late one night," Beraun told WRTV. 

"He took [the gun] out of his pocket to show me what was going on — let me into your house. I did not do that," Beraun said.

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Beraun said she forked over roughly $100 in cash to the suspect, who was later identified as Damien Boyce. After he got the money, he allegedly pointed the gun at her and demanded she add him on Facebook, according to court documents reviewed by WRTV.

"I thought if maybe I added him on Facebook, he would leave, and he did," Beraun said.

He then began messaging the victim on the social media app, complimenting her and asking her out, according to the court documents.

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"Damn you was too pretty to rob," one message stated, with the man saying he would pay her back.

"I believe you man. I can tell you’re sweet, times just get rough. I know that," Beraun responded. 

Boyce also reportedly asked her to "come chill" with him.

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"It makes me a little on edge knowing that people walk up and down the street, looking for places to commit crimes," Beruan told the local news outlet.

"It makes it a little different when you hear noises at night."

Boyce was charged in the armed robbery last Wednesday and was held on a $7,500 bond.

Just a week before the armed robbery, Boyce was arrested for a separate armed robbery on June 12. Boyce allegedly got into an argument and shot two people and hit another in the head with a brick.

He surrendered to police after a SWAT team responded to the scene. He was charged in that case with burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal recklessness and battery.

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