Judge heard Bryan Kohberger’s motion to suppress DNA evidence

ADA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Bryan Kohberger was present at a hearing in the Ada County Courthouse Thursday. He is the primary suspect in the murders of four University of Idaho students.
Judge Steven Hippler heard arguments from the defense and prosecution in the hearing. The main point of discussion is whether or not Kohberger's rights were violated when DNA was obtained from the crime scene and then analyzed using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG).
“Your honor, this is a situation where this identification was done in complete secret behind closed doors, and it's been continued to be a secret and that should raise red flags for your honor about privacy interests that are at stake,” said Anne Taylor, Bryan Kohberger's lead attorney.
Judge Hippler expressed issues with the defense's argument about DNA privacy.
“I struggle with the idea that DNA left at a crime scene, that there's any expectation of privacy by someone who leaves DNA at the crime scene, that that DNA can't be, as you say, searched without a warrant to establish identity,” said Judge Hippler.
He ruled the matter will be taken under advisement. Judge Hippler then allowed the prosecution to address the defense's claim that the warrantless search of a DNA database invalidates the evidence.
"IGG was used in this case, and yes, it did point to the defendant," said Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye, a member of the prosecuting team. "But, the fact that that happened doesn't mean that there was a violation of the Fourth Amendment."
The defense disagreed.
"There should have been a warrant. It violates Fourth Amendment rights, Article one, section 17 rights, and this must be suppressed," Taylor said.
The hearing will continue Friday. You can view that live stream below.