Kayna Whitworth

For anybody that's been following this case, you have heard descriptions of what Brian Koberger was like generally. If you've listened to our podcast, we were able to speak with some people who were part of his graduate program at Washington State University. And the descriptions about his behavior are that he's a bit of a loner all the time. He was a bit of an outcast. He was a bit awkward.

For anybody that's been following this case, you have heard descriptions of what Brian Koberger was like generally. If you've listened to our podcast, we were able to speak with some people who were part of his graduate program at Washington State University. And the descriptions about his behavior are that he's a bit of a loner all the time. He was a bit of an outcast. He was a bit awkward.

And his lawyers say flat out, it's no surprise that Koberger came across as socially awkward. His lawyers writing that an impairment like that is a hallmark of his disability. And they think that will work against him in the court of law. And according to his lawyers, the neuropsychologist that evaluated Koberger found that his autism spectrum disorder had a significant impact on his life.

And his lawyers say flat out, it's no surprise that Koberger came across as socially awkward. His lawyers writing that an impairment like that is a hallmark of his disability. And they think that will work against him in the court of law. And according to his lawyers, the neuropsychologist that evaluated Koberger found that his autism spectrum disorder had a significant impact on his life.

All right. Thanks, Julie, as always, for your insight there on the ground in Moscow. Thank you, Kena. We'll be right back after a short break.

All right. Thanks, Julie, as always, for your insight there on the ground in Moscow. Thank you, Kena. We'll be right back after a short break.

We're going to talk now about DNA in these recent filings. Prosecutors say Koberger's DNA was found on the knife sheath underneath Maddie, and that has been the linchpin in this case. As a reminder, Koberger was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania after a six-week manhunt. Authorities used investigative genetic genealogy from the knife sheath DNA to link Koberger to the crime.

We're going to talk now about DNA in these recent filings. Prosecutors say Koberger's DNA was found on the knife sheath underneath Maddie, and that has been the linchpin in this case. As a reminder, Koberger was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania after a six-week manhunt. Authorities used investigative genetic genealogy from the knife sheath DNA to link Koberger to the crime.

But what these newly released documents show us is more information about other DNA evidence. We've known that three other unidentified male profiles were found inside the home on King Road, but now we know where those samples were found. One was found in blood on a handrail between the first and second floor, the other on a glove outside the home. And in these new filings, there is mention of

But what these newly released documents show us is more information about other DNA evidence. We've known that three other unidentified male profiles were found inside the home on King Road, but now we know where those samples were found. One was found in blood on a handrail between the first and second floor, the other on a glove outside the home. And in these new filings, there is mention of

of an unknown mixture of DNA underneath Maddie's fingernails. Three separate profiles are present, according to the defense. It's a lot. But I want to narrow in on the DNA samples found under her fingernails, because the documents also show that the defense is trying to limit testimony related to that three-person mixture.

of an unknown mixture of DNA underneath Maddie's fingernails. Three separate profiles are present, according to the defense. It's a lot. But I want to narrow in on the DNA samples found under her fingernails, because the documents also show that the defense is trying to limit testimony related to that three-person mixture.

So we take this question to ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmeyer, because why would the defense want to exclude that information if the results don't seem to point directly to Koberger?

So we take this question to ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmeyer, because why would the defense want to exclude that information if the results don't seem to point directly to Koberger?

Does that independent lab result get presented to the jury? And is that something his defense team paid to do?

Does that independent lab result get presented to the jury? And is that something his defense team paid to do?

So why is his defense team then arguing that none of this should be admitted as opposed to arguing we want to make sure that we can let the jury know our independent lab cleared him in this instance?

So why is his defense team then arguing that none of this should be admitted as opposed to arguing we want to make sure that we can let the jury know our independent lab cleared him in this instance?

The dressing well is definitely a better argument for TV than for audio. But for anyone listening, the man can dress. OK, so we can't talk about these documents, though, without talking about the judge that is overseeing this case. Judge Hippler, he's moving this along rapidly. It's very different from the approach of Judge John Judge in Moscow.

The dressing well is definitely a better argument for TV than for audio. But for anyone listening, the man can dress. OK, so we can't talk about these documents, though, without talking about the judge that is overseeing this case. Judge Hippler, he's moving this along rapidly. It's very different from the approach of Judge John Judge in Moscow.