(NewsNation) — Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four college students in Idaho, are not happy that investigators say they came across cellphone data Wednesday that might influence the case.
In a Thursday hearing, Moscow, Idaho, police forensic detective Lawerence Mowry said he discovered some cellphone files Wednesday. The defense has accused the prosecution of not turning over all of its evidence through the discovery process. The prosecution has disputed that claim.
There was no indication that the newly discovered data is relevant to pinpointing the location of Kohberger’s phone during the time four University of Idaho students were killed in their apartment. Both sides contend the cellphone pings will make their cases.
Kohberger faces four murder charges in connection with the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Kohberger’s cellphone data is closely linked to his alibi.
According to Kohberger’s lawyer, “Mr. Kohberger was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars. He drove throughout the area south of Pullman, Washington, west of Moscow, Idaho including Wawawai Park.”
Kohberger’s defense is trying to say he wasn’t near the house where the killings happened.. Investigators, however, say they have phone pings that put Kohberger near the house.
Police also say DNA evidence connects Kohberger to the knife sheath found at the scene. But the defense also is trying to poke holes in that evidence.
Investigators used a form of DNA sampling called investigative genetic genealogy, which used distant relatives to make the connection to Kohberger.
The students’ families are eager for a trial and say the process is taking too long.