Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger defense could cost taxpayers thousands
Bryan Kohberger’s defense attorney is reportedly making $200 per hour to represent accused killer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Idaho taxpayers will be on the hook for thousands of dollars toward the legal defense of accused killer Bryan Kohberger, whose lead attorney is contracted to be paid $200 per hour to represent him, according to a local report.
Anne Taylor is a public defender for Idaho’s Kootenai County, but is being contracted to represent Kohberger in Latah County, where the Moscow student slayings were carried out, because of her expertise in handling capital murder cases. As such, Latah County has agreed to pay Kootenai County officials $200 per hour for Taylor’s services, with the expectation that she will be working 40 hours per week, local news station KREM2 reported.
Latah County will pay Taylor directly for any overtime hours worked, though the hourly amount will remain the same, the report states.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bryan Kohberger, left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, looks on as his attorney, public defender Anne Taylor, right, speaks during a hearing in Latah County District Court, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool) (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
According to a document obtained by KREM via public records request, Latah County should pay Kootenai County $180 per hour for the "second seat attorney." Assuming he or she works a 40-hour workweek, Latah County should pay $180 per hour directly to the secondary attorney for any overtime worked, the document states.
Meanwhile, any investigators working on behalf of Kohberger’s defense team will be paid $45 an hour, and attorney will be compensated for food, lodging and mileage, the report states.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}IDAHO MURDERS: BRYAN KOHBERGER PROSECUTOR FILES NEW DOCUMENTS IN SECRETIVE PROCEEDINGS
Bryan Kohberger, left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, looks toward his attorney, public defender Anne Taylor, right, during a hearing in Latah County District Court, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
Kohberger is being held without bail on four counts of first-degree murder and a felony burglary charge after allegedly entering an off-campus house around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13 and attacking four University of Idaho students inside.
The ambush killed Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, their 20-year-old housemate Xana Kernodle, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20, who lived nearby and was spending the night.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}IDAHO MURDERS: BRYAN KOHBERGER'S ARREST RESURRECTS COLD CASES IN HOMETOWN
Defense attorney Anne Taylor joins investigators on a visit to the King Road crime scene on January 3, 2023. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
All four suffered multiple stab wounds, according to Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt, who said at least some of the victims may have been sleeping at the start of the attack.
Two other roommates were not attacked, including one who told police she witnessed a masked intruder with "bushy eyebrows" leaving out the back door.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}IDAHO MURDERS: BRYAN KOHBERGER DEFENSE RECEIVES HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTS FROM PROSECUTORS
Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and two other housemates in Goncalves' final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)
Police found a Ka-Bar sheath at the scene and allege that DNA found on the thumb snap helped lead them to Kohberger, who allegedly stalked the house at least 12 times before the slayings and returned to the home the morning after, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The suspect was a Ph.D. criminology student at Washington State University, about 10 miles away from the University of Idaho.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He was arrested on Dec. 30, when Pennsylvania police and the FBI raided his parents' house in the Poconos Mountains.
The victims of Nov. 13 University of Idaho massacre, from left to right: Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen. (Instagram @xanakernodle / @maddiemogen / @kayleegoncalves)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He waived extradition and is awaiting his next court date, set for June 26, in Moscow, Idaho.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prosecutors have not yet said whether they are seeking the death penalty against Kohberger. If so, the 28-year-old could face the death penalty if convicted at trial.