An Ada County judge on Wednesday heard duelling arguments over whether to postpone the capital murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, the former Washington State University graduate student accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The proceeding was moved to Boise to secure a larger jury pool, and jury selection is currently set to begin on 30 July, with opening statements scheduled for 11 August. Kohberger’s lead counsel, Anne Taylor, urged Judge Steven Hippler to grant more preparation time, citing what she called voluminous outstanding discovery, the need to assemble mitigation evidence in a death-penalty case, and the impact of intense pre-trial publicity. Taylor pointed in particular to a recent NBC ‘Dateline’ broadcast that aired previously sealed phone records and surveillance footage, arguing the leak jeopardised the defendant’s right to an impartial jury and warrants appointment of a special investigator. Prosecutor Bill Thompson countered that the defence team—backed by three lawyers, investigators and experts—has had ample time and that further delay would prolong the anguish of the victims’ families. He told the court any prejudice from media coverage can be mitigated during voir dire. Hippler, who earlier warned that anyone tied to the leak could face contempt sanctions, took the matter under advisement without indicating when he will rule.