Kayna Whitworth

Judge Hippler has expressed frustration about the secrecy involving the case. Here's what he had to say during a hearing in January.

Judge Hippler has expressed frustration about the secrecy involving the case. Here's what he had to say during a hearing in January.

There's been so much that we don't know, which is part of the reason why these filings have been so explosive, because this is some of the information that the public, that the journalists, and frankly, the families have been waiting so long to hear. So what do you think about this general commitment here to transparency on a case that the nation is watching?

There's been so much that we don't know, which is part of the reason why these filings have been so explosive, because this is some of the information that the public, that the journalists, and frankly, the families have been waiting so long to hear. So what do you think about this general commitment here to transparency on a case that the nation is watching?

Obviously, the stakes of this case are huge. We know that Koberger's defense team has tried to strike the death penalty before. That being said, they have not brought up the claim that their client has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is new information to the judge and to the public. So why bring it up now, seemingly so late in the game?

Obviously, the stakes of this case are huge. We know that Koberger's defense team has tried to strike the death penalty before. That being said, they have not brought up the claim that their client has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is new information to the judge and to the public. So why bring it up now, seemingly so late in the game?

And just sort of lastly, and generally from a defense attorney standpoint, you don't think that some of this throwing everything at the wall is being done to avoid being accused of being ineffective counsel?

And just sort of lastly, and generally from a defense attorney standpoint, you don't think that some of this throwing everything at the wall is being done to avoid being accused of being ineffective counsel?

Well, Brian, as always, we appreciate your analysis on the legality of all of this, but also your commitment to this story. Thank you for being here with us.

Well, Brian, as always, we appreciate your analysis on the legality of all of this, but also your commitment to this story. Thank you for being here with us.

As a reminder, a not guilty plea has been entered on Coburger's behalf. We've recently learned from a filing by the prosecution that Coburger's defense team plans to argue that their client's DNA on the knife sheath does not prove he was ever in the home. The filing suggests the defense will argue the knife sheath itself could have been planted by the real perpetrator.

As a reminder, a not guilty plea has been entered on Coburger's behalf. We've recently learned from a filing by the prosecution that Coburger's defense team plans to argue that their client's DNA on the knife sheath does not prove he was ever in the home. The filing suggests the defense will argue the knife sheath itself could have been planted by the real perpetrator.

Coburger remains the only suspect in the case. One other update before we go. Idaho's governor, Brad Little, just signed a bill to make Idaho the only state in the country where firing squad is the main means of execution. This will go into effect in July of 2026. And that does it for this bonus episode of King Road Killings.

Coburger remains the only suspect in the case. One other update before we go. Idaho's governor, Brad Little, just signed a bill to make Idaho the only state in the country where firing squad is the main means of execution. This will go into effect in July of 2026. And that does it for this bonus episode of King Road Killings.

And I have to say, we're two years into this story, and I feel like we've just gotten started. So be sure to subscribe to The King Road Killings to hear season two, Brian Koberger on trial. We'll be bringing you episodes twice a week on the trial. So follow and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And I have to say, we're two years into this story, and I feel like we've just gotten started. So be sure to subscribe to The King Road Killings to hear season two, Brian Koberger on trial. We'll be bringing you episodes twice a week on the trial. So follow and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was produced by Madeline Wood with help from Sasha Pesnik, Josh Margolin, Sasha Aslanian, Trevor Hastings, and Jenna Harrison. Laura Mayer is the executive producer of ABC Audio.

This episode was produced by Madeline Wood with help from Sasha Pesnik, Josh Margolin, Sasha Aslanian, Trevor Hastings, and Jenna Harrison. Laura Mayer is the executive producer of ABC Audio.