NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The trial of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in a brutal stabbing attack, has been pushed back by one week, according to an amended scheduling order filed in Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District Court.
The new order Thursday says that public jury selection will begin on August 4, but opening statements are now expected on August 18, one week later than the previously anticipated start date on August 11.
It replaces the previously anticipated August 4 date for the start of jury selection, instead setting aside July 28 through August 1 for sealed proceedings involving the court and attorneys.
"An amended scheduling order filed today in State v. Kohberger sets new expected dates for public jury selection and for the start of the trial," Nate Poppino, a spokesperson for the Idaho court, shared Thursday.
IDAHO MURDER SUSPECT'S LAWYERS DEMAND TRIAL POSTPONEMENT OVER 'PREJUDICIAL' TV SPECIAL
Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, May 22, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images)
Poppino confirmed to Fox News Digital that the updated timeline was not the result of any attempt by the defense to delay the proceedings, but rather an internal scheduling adjustment by the court.
Poppino said the court determined that more time was needed for jury selection, which will start as planned on August 4.
READ THE ORDER – APP USERS, CLICK HERE
IDAHO JUDGE DENIES BRYAN KOHBERGER DEFENSE MOTION TO SUPPRESS KEY EVIDENCE
The highly anticipated murder trial has faced delays since Kohberger was arrested in Dec. 2022.
He initially waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, pushing that process to June 2023. The prosecution’s decision to pursue the death penalty also added further complexity to the case.
Since then, the defense has filed multiple pretrial motions, including their request to move the trial due to publicity.
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)
SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the November 2022 slayings of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.
He has pleaded not guilty. Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted.
The court did not offer an estimated duration for the trial, only that proceedings would continue "until completed."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital.
Since joining in 2021, she’s covered high-stakes criminal justice—from the Menendez brothers’ resentencing, where Judge Jesic slashed their life-without-parole terms to 50-years-to-life (making them parole-eligible), to the assassination attempts on President Donald Trump's life and shifting immigration enforcement, including her reporting on South Florida’s illegal-immigration crisis, covering unprecedented migrant crossings from the Bahamas and ensuing enforcement operations.
Beyond those beats, she reports on crime, politics, business, lifestyle, world news, and more—delivering both breaking updates and in-depth analysis across Fox News Digital. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.