Moscow murders: Surviving roommate asks to skip Kohberger's hearing as state prosecutors step in

Moscow, Idaho - One of the two surviving housemates from the Moscow murders case is fighting a subpoena that would force her to testify at suspect Bryan Kohberger's preliminary hearing while Idaho state prosecutors have been called to help.

The Latah County prosecutor's (center r) request to have state prosecutors step in to help with the quadruple murder case against Bryan Kohberger (r) was granted by a judge.
The Latah County prosecutor's (center r) request to have state prosecutors step in to help with the quadruple murder case against Bryan Kohberger (r) was granted by a judge.  © Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Press & ZUMA Wire

On Tuesday, it was reported by journalist Brian Entin that a Latah County judge granted the Latah County prosecutor's request for two Idaho special assistant attorneys general to step in and help with the quadruple murder case against Bryan Kohberger.

Per the court docs posted on Twitter by Entin, the judge granted the county prosecutor's request on Monday.

Before this, it was reported that Bethany Funke, one of the two surviving roommates of the November 13, 2022, slaying of four University of Idaho students, recently filed a motion to toss out a subpoena from Kohberger's attorneys that would require her to testify in the murder suspect's preliminary hearing.

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The subpoena was filed in the district court of Washoe County, Nevada – where Funke is from – last Friday.

"There is no further information or detail pertaining to the substance of this testimony, its materiality, or the alleged exculpatory information of Ms. Funke or why it would be entertained at [the] preliminary hearing," the filing states. "A preliminary hearing is not meant to become a mini-trial due to its limited purpose in deciding of probable cause."

Attorneys representing Funke further argued that the court in Latah County lacks the authority to summon a Nevada witness to the state of Idaho for a preliminary hearing.

Funke’s attorneys also argue that the court does not have the authority to summon a Nevada witness to Idaho for a preliminary hearing, but Kohberger's attorneys view things differently.

Bryan Kohberger's attorneys believe Funke is "exculpatory to the defendant"

The attorneys representing Kohberger have argued that Funke has "information material" to the charges against Kohberger, adding that she is "exculpatory to the defendant," per the affidavit.

Funke has denied that she has any information that would help clear Kohberger of the murder charges against him.

The 21-year-old lived on the first floor with Dylan Mortensen, the other surviving roommate who allegedly came face-to-face with the killer the night Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

Kohberger’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26. He appeared in a Latah County court on January 4 where he was officially charged with four counts of first-degree murder and booked in the Latah County jail.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Press & ZUMA Wire

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