Ada County, Idaho prepares for another Bryan Kohberger's high-profile trial
ADA COUNTY, Idaho - First, the Lori Vallow trial, then her husband Chad Daybell’s trial, and now the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho is getting ready for all eyes to be back on them as the trial for Bryan Kohberger is scheduled to start in August.
Bryan Kohberger is accused of brutally murdering four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022: Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle.
While we are still months away from the start of that trial, the courthouse is already gearing up for it. This, as people all over the world are waiting and will no doubt be watching.
"Every time we've handled one of these types of large trials, obviously, you take away a number of things from it," Deputy Administrative Judge James Cawthon said.
Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger arrives in Boise ahead of trial
Bryan Kohberger is now in the custody of the Ada County Sheriff's Office, according to online jail records, after previously being held in a jail in Moscow, Idaho, since January 2023.
He told FOX 13, in his more than 20 years as a judge, he’s seen about eight or nine trials of this magnitude, but three high-profile trials in just a couple of years is certainly in quick succession. Regardless, he said the focus is always the same.
"To ensure that people's constitutional rights are protected and insured," Cawthon said.
Preparing for trials like Kohberger’s takes a certain choreography, and the courthouse staff comes together like a sports team.
"We constantly talk about these things, game plan these things, practice these things, and then when it's time to put on the trial, we're out there executing, making sure we've got the resources in place to respond to situations," Cawthon said.
That includes security, which is always at the forefront. He couldn’t say much, but he could share this: "We will have a safe, secure place for everyone participating in this particular trial," Cawthon said.
The jury selection process is also different, especially for a case that’s garnered national and international attention.
"You've got a case dealing with very emotional and serious issues," Cawthon said. "The crime itself that's alleged is quite serious, and the jury may be called upon to make certain decisions that are quite significant, and so you, in those instances, you need a very significant panel."
Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on Friday, May 12, 2023. The Idaho jury convicted Daybell of murder in the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival, a v ((Kyle Green))
The number of potential jurors summoned will be up to the presiding Judge Steve Hippler. For context, about 1,800 potential jurors were summoned for the Lori Vallow trial, and some 2,500 potential jurors were summoned for Chad Daybell’s trial. At the time, Judge Hippler told FOX 13, that was a record number to his knowledge.
"I would say that's what I would call a good ballpark number, but I would not hazard a guess as to what size that pool would end up being," Cawthon said.
As for cameras in the courtroom during the trial, no decision has been made just yet, but Judge Cawthon says the courthouse is prepared either way.
The trial is scheduled to start on August 11 with jury selection expected to start on July 30. The trial is slated to run through November.
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