Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Germer Construction workers began demolition on the King Street house in Moscow, Idaho, during the early morning of Dec. 28. The house was the site of a quadruple homicide Nov. 12, 2022.
Germer Construction workers demolish the King Street house in Moscow, Idaho, Dec. 28, 2023.
MOSCOW - Demolition of the 1122 King Road house near the University of Idaho (UI) campus, where four University of Idaho students were murdered on Nov. 12, 2022, began early in the morning on Thursday, Dec. 28.
Germer Construction of Moscow was the general contractor and overseer for the demolition project. In addition, Germer Construction demolished the building at a reduced cost to the university while performing site rehabilitation, grading, utility disconnection and demolition assistance.
The University of Idaho announced that the site where Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were murdered would be demolished, causing controversy among some of the victim's families who contested the demolition, claiming the university was erasing the most valuable evidence in the case, reports say.
The university announced on Thursday, Dec. 14, that demolition at the property would begin on Thursday, Dec. 28, while students were away for winter break. The university has not announced what will happen to the property after demolition. However, the school administration is taking steps to construct a memorial healing garden for the students on campus.
The former Washington State University (WSU) criminal justice graduate student, Bryan Kohberger, 29, is accused and has been charged with murdering Chapin, Kernodle, Mogen, and Goncalves inside the home. Kohberger's death penalty murder trial date has not been set.
Court records show Judge John Judge ruled against Kohberger's team to dismiss the grand jury indictment in the quadruple murder case.
Police apprehended Kohberger at his parents' house in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2022.
Reports say Kohberger was linked to a white Elantra matching one seen in surveillance footage near the King Road house.
In addition, court documents indicate that his cell phone records placed him near the crime scene between 9:12 a.m. and 9:21 a.m.
The Idaho State Lab was also able to narrow a DNA profile by linking Kohberger's trash to a tan leather knife sheath found at the scene of the killings, the court documents state.
The trial had been set to begin on Oct. 2, 2023, but was postponed indefinitely in August after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial.
The trial is expected to begin sometime in 2024.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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