Bryan Kohberger Defense Gives Judge 'Proof' Of Alternate Killers - And Some Experts Think It Could Set Him Free!

Could the defense’s bonkers-sounding plan actually work??

Last week we learned Bryan Kohberger‘s legal team was shifting its tactics to point to a real killer in the University of Idaho murders. This hypothetical alternate suspect or suspects could have committed the crime and planted DNA evidence to make Kohberger look guilty, they claimed per a dubious summary by the prosecution.

There was a question of whether Judge Steven Hippler would even allow the argument. He ordered the defense to present “whatever actual evidence you have that supports those allegations other than just allegations” by May 23. They turned in an “Offer of Proof RE: Alternate Perpetrators,” per public court records.

What they alleged is unclear — as it’s been sealed, including shielding the identity of any potential murder suspects. Judge Hippler will decide in June if he’ll allow the defense — though it doesn’t sound like he’s biting so far. He said in a hearing:

“It seemed to be much of what you put in there was potentially fairly objectionable in terms of admissibility.”

Huh. We wonder what they’re suggesting! And at whom they’re pointing a finger??

Would this even work? Actually… maybe so. DailyMail.com asked some experts on Thursday, and the way they read it, there’s a glimmer of hope for Kohberger’s team. Defense attorney David Seltzer thinks introducing an alternative theory could have a “significant impact”:

“Ultimately, the jury has to be unanimous… if you convince just one juror that there is a reasonable alternative suspect, he walks.”

Oof. That’s gotta be a worrying point for the families of the victims — who have been pretty convinced Kohberger is guilty.

Seltzer thinks the defense is smart for giving up trying to fight the DNA thing. He explained:

“The state’s problem is it’s a DNA trial, and DNA trials are boring. They’re not engaging because people don’t understand the science of DNA… I think what the defense is trying to do is get it away from the technicalities because you’re going to lose a jury on the technical issues some of the time.”

Unlike DNA science, an alternative killer theory is “something you can hold on to, that here’s somebody else who did the crime,” added Seltzer.

And if the state is talking about technical details while being sold a razzle dazzle story about framing the poor confused autistic guy by the defense? Huh. That is a really strong point.

But it might not just be the defense selling a story. Another defense attorney pointed out if they have someone in mind — which is what it sounds like is in the sealed filing to the judge — that person could be called to testify! Now THAT would be fireworks for the jury. That doesn’t mean for sure they would though. As Sam Bassett explains:

“If it’s truly a viable alternative suspect — either working together with this defendant or working independently — that suspect has rights, too. So that suspect could be subpoenaed [to testify] but they could assert their Fifth Amendment privilege and refuse to testify.”

That could leave the defense going after police:

“You’re kind of planting a seed in the jurors’ heads that [police] abandoned other possible suspects… cut off the investigation when they arrested so-and-so and should have followed up more on other people.”

Will it work? Assuming the judge allows it? Other defense attorneys seem to think so. We couldn’t even imagine Kohberger getting acquitted before… Damn.

What do YOU think, Perezcious paralegals??

[Image via Latah County Prosecutor’s Office/Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram.]