Idaho murder suspect to waive extradition hearing: reports

Misty Severi

December 31, 10:27 PM December 31, 10:27 PM

The prime suspect in the quadruple homicide of four Idaho college students is expected to waive his extradition hearing, according to news reports.

An attorney for Bryan Kohberger, who allegedly killed the group of students at an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, last month, said his client will waive his extradition hearing that's set for Tuesday. But Kohberger will still be required to be at the Pennsylvania court house on Tuesday to sign the proper paperwork, according to CBS News.

IDAHO MURDERS: POLICE TRACKED SUSPECT ACROSS COUNTRY AND SURVEILLED PARENTS' HOUSE

"Because of obviously the attention of this case, I assume Idaho is prepared and ready to transport him back already," Monroe County Chief Public Defender Jason LaBar told the outlet.

Kohberger, who was arrested by federal authorities on Friday in Pennsylvania, could be transported to Idaho as quickly as 72 hours after he signs the paperwork, LaBar said. However, procedure gives authorities as much as 10 days to start the extradition process.

The suspect has been charged with four counts of first degree homicide, according to the Moscow police department, and one court of petty burglary, for the deaths of college students Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Goncalves. All four students were fatally stabbed in their beds, authorities said.

LaBar warned the public not to assume his client was guilty, reminding people that the United States justice system means a suspect is "innocent until proven guilty."

"Mr. Kohberger has been accused of very serious crimes, but the American justice system cloaks him in a veil of innocence," LaBar wrote in a prepared statement reported by WHD News. "He should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise — not tried in the court of public opinion."

Two law enforcement officials revealed that Kohberger was tracked driving across the United States from Washington State University where he is a doctoral student, to Pennsylvania, after becoming a suspect through DNA evidence and the ownership of a white Hyundai Elantra, that matched the description of the vehicle spotted near the crime scene, according to CNN. The suspect is being held without bail.

Despite the arrest, Moscow law enforcement is asking the public to submit any information that could be relevant to the murders by calling 208-883-7180 or emailing tipline@ci.moscow.id.us, including information about Kohberger.