Photo: Pool / Getty Images News / Getty Images
In a surprising development, a prison guard from Pennsylvania has been named as a witness in the upcoming trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students. The guard, William Searfoss, worked at Monroe County Correctional Facility, where Kohberger was held after his arrest in December 2022. Searfoss, along with Anthony Somma, is among seven individuals from Pennsylvania called to testify in the trial, which begins in August.
Kohberger, a criminology PhD student, was arrested at his parents' home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, and extradited to Idaho in January 2023. He faces charges for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Kohberger's stay in the Pennsylvania jail was reportedly uneventful, despite initial claims that he had threatened guards.
The purpose of Searfoss and Somma's testimonies remains unclear, as it is not specified whether the defense or prosecution seeks their input. Somma's connection to Kohberger stems from their shared attendance at Monroe Career & Technical Institute, where Kohberger was removed from a youth law enforcement program following complaints from female students.
Kohberger's trial will also feature other witnesses from his past, including a former boxing coach and a professor from DeSales University. Prosecutors allege Kohberger left DNA evidence at the crime scene and plan to use his academic work to demonstrate his knowledge of crime scene handling.
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty. The trial is set to begin in August, with a hearing on June 30 to determine if the Pennsylvania witnesses will be compelled to testify in Idaho.