Kohberger Defense Seeks to Exclude Amazon Evidence in Idaho Student Murders Trial
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, is attempting to block the introduction of his Amazon purchase history and other related online activity from his upcoming trial. His defense team, led by attorney Elisa Massoth, argues that the evidence is vague, incomplete, and unfairly prejudicial, potentially misleading the jury and violating his right to a fair trial.
The motion filed by the defense specifically targets the use of "Amazon click activity" as evidence. Massoth contends that the term itself is poorly defined and that prosecutors have failed to adequately explain its meaning or the nature of any expert testimony they intend to present related to it. The defense further claims that the prosecution’s disclosures regarding the Amazon data are severely limited, lacking crucial raw data and complete datasets. This lack of transparency, coupled with the absence of disclosed expert opinions or a comprehensive analysis of the "Amazon click activity," paints an incomplete and potentially distorted picture, according to the defense.
The motion emphasizes the vast disparity between the extensive data requested in the warrants and the limited, "cherry-picked" data the prosecution intends to present. This selective presentation, the defense argues, is out of context and ultimately inadmissible, as it could unfairly prejudice the jury against Kohberger.
A central argument in the defense’s motion revolves around the nature of Amazon’s AI-driven algorithm and its influence on user behavior. They assert that Amazon’s system actively shapes user browsing and purchasing patterns by suggesting products it predicts shoppers might be interested in, alongside paid advertisements. The defense points out that in 2022, the period relevant to the case, Amazon’s AI system was not merely a passive reflection of user searches but an active driver of purchasing decisions, based on sophisticated predictive models.
This claim is crucial to the defense’s strategy. They argue that Kohberger’s browsing and purchase history on Amazon may not necessarily reflect a deliberate intent to acquire specific items related to the alleged crime. Instead, these activities could be the result of the Amazon algorithm’s influence, leading him to view or purchase items he might not have otherwise considered. This argument directly challenges the prosecution’s attempt to link Kohberger to specific items, such as a Ka-Bar knife, through his Amazon activity.
Furthermore, the defense raises the possibility that Kohberger’s Amazon account could have been shared with other members of his household. Kohberger has two sisters, as well as his mother and father, any of whom could have potentially used the account and contributed to its purchase history. This potential for shared usage further complicates the interpretation of the Amazon data, making it difficult to definitively attribute specific purchases or browsing activity to Kohberger himself. The defense argues that this uncertainty renders the Amazon evidence unreliable and unfairly prejudicial.
The issue of a Ka-Bar knife is particularly relevant to the motion. Court documents previously revealed that police attempted to connect Kohberger to the purchase of a Ka-Bar knife after finding a sheath for one under the body of victim Madison Mogen. The sheath allegedly contained DNA on its snap, which investigators believe ultimately led them to Kohberger. News reports, including a 2023 report by NBC’s "Dateline," indicated that Kohberger had purchased a Ka-Bar knife over Amazon in 2022, prior to moving to Pullman, Washington, to attend Washington State University.
The defense is clearly attempting to undermine the prosecution’s ability to link Kohberger to the alleged murder weapon through his Amazon purchase history. By arguing that the Amazon data is unreliable, easily influenced by AI algorithms, and potentially attributable to other household members, they hope to prevent the jury from drawing a direct connection between Kohberger and the Ka-Bar knife found at the crime scene.
It is important to note that similar knives are readily available on Amazon, a fact that the defense is likely to emphasize to counter the prosecution’s attempt to portray the purchase of a Ka-Bar knife as uniquely incriminating.
Another potentially relevant element of Kohberger’s defense strategy may involve his mental state. Although not directly stated in the provided article, earlier reports suggested his defense might claim he has autism to avoid the death penalty. If this is the case, any evidence presented regarding his Amazon activity, especially in light of how algorithms influence users may further be scrutinized by the defense.
Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin on August 11th in Boise, Idaho. He faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted of the murders of Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were all found stabbed to death. A judge has already entered not-guilty pleas on Kohberger’s behalf.
The judge’s decision on the motion to exclude the Amazon evidence will be a crucial one, potentially shaping the course of the trial and impacting the strength of the prosecution’s case. The defense’s arguments highlight the challenges of using digital evidence in criminal trials, particularly when that evidence is generated by complex algorithms and potentially influenced by multiple users. The court will need to carefully consider these arguments to ensure that Kohberger receives a fair trial and that the jury is presented with reliable and relevant evidence.
