Authorities have failed to divulge important information in the case three days after the arrest of a suspect in the deadly stabbing of four University of Idaho students, from whether the culprit knew the victims to what his claimed motivation could have been and what eventually triggered his arrest.
The deaths shocked Moscow, Idaho, a college town that hadn’t witnessed a murder in seven years. Some residents became upset with the minimal information officials released as their investigation progressed.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry confirmed the arrest of Kohberger in his home state Pennsylvania on Friday that this was partially due to state legislation, which limits what information authorities can divulge before the suspect makes an initial appearance in court.
According to Latah County, Idaho, prosecutors, The probable cause affidavit used to support Kohberger’s arrest and get a warrant will be sealed until he is transferred to Idaho. He is facing four first-degree murder counts and a criminal burglary allegation.
Kohberger appeared in court in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, when he renounced extradition to Idaho, signing the release while wearing wrist restraints. The judge directed that Kohberger be turned over to the Latah County District Attorney’s Office within ten days.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, arrangements were being made to transport Kohberger to Idaho, but no timetable has been disclosed.
In the meanwhile, here are a few of the critical aspects that are yet unknown.
The suspect’s connection to the victims
Authorities have not disclosed if Kohberger knew any of the victims, who were discovered dead hours after a Saturday night out: According to authorities, Chapin and Kernodle had gone to a party on campus earlier that night, while Mogen and Goncalves went to a downtown pub before getting food from a late-night food truck.
Fry said Kohberger was a PhD student in the criminal justice department at Washington State University’s Pullman campus, roughly a 15-minute drive west of Moscow.
In a statement last week, Washington State University admitted Kohberger was a graduate student. The school’s police department also assisted Idaho law officials in carrying out search warrants at Kohberger’s campus housing and office.
A CNN team also spotted law enforcement action Friday at a Pullman housing complex where graduate students dwell.
The suspect’s real motivation
Kohberger previously attended DeSales University, a Catholic university in Pennsylvania, as an undergraduate and graduate student, according to a school statement. According to a university official, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2020 and completed his master’s degree in 2021.
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