The University of Idaho began the demolition of the rental home where four undergrad students were killed in a home invasion stabbing last year. The house was boarded up, fenced in, and guarded 24 hours a day. Some critics, including family members of the victims, wanted the house to remain standing until the trial of the suspected killer, Bryan Kohberger, but the university decided to demolish it.
Experts noted that having jurors visit the crime scene can be helpful in some cases but can also be a logistical nightmare. The decision to demolish the house was seen as prioritizing the school’s desire to “move on” over the potential impact on jurors. The victims’ families wanted the house to be preserved until after the trial for evidentiary purposes.
Kohberger, a Ph.D. student at Washington State University, allegedly killed four students in the house. His trial, initially scheduled for October, has been delayed as he challenges the indictment and DNA evidence. The families of the victims have expressed frustration over the demolition of the house, as they seek justice for their loved ones. The University of Idaho plans to build a memorial garden on the site, designed by architecture students, to honor the victims. Additionally, authorities believe a jury visit to the scene of the crime may not be necessary due to the substantial changes that have occurred at the site since the homicides.
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