The University of Idaho is pausing the demolition of the house where four students were murdered last fall, saying it is the "right course to take."
Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, lived and were murdered in a house on King Road off campus in November 2022. The owner of the home accepted the offer from the university to demolish the house back in February.
WALL OF WASTE: CAN TRUMP'S SIGNATURE BORDER ISSUE DELIVER HIM A SECOND TERM?
In a memo sent Wednesday to staff and faculty, the university's president, Scott Green, said the decision on what to do with the King Road house has been "so difficult," mentioning calls from some to tear it down while others have said demolition could impact the court case.
"Because of this, upon completion of the remediation of the house ... we will pause demolition. We will revisit this decision in October," Green said. October will mark almost one year since the murders.
Green said there is no legal requirement to keep the house standing, as both the prosecution and defense have "released any interest in the house for their case."
"We still fully expect to demolish the house ... but we believe leaving the house standing, for now, is the right course to take," Green continued.
The university's decision comes two days after Judge John Judge issued a 37-day stay in the state's case against Bryan Kohberger, 28, a Washington State University graduate student who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.
Judge's decision will not affect Kohberger’s requirement to submit his alibi to the state by July 24, the court filing stated. Kohberger's trial date is scheduled for Oct. 2, but Judge said it could be moved in the future if either the prosecutors or defense decide that the extra 37 days is critical in their preparation for the trial.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Prosecutors decided on June 26 that they would seek the death penalty, which could cost taxpayers $1 million more as opposed to a life sentence.
Kohberger's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18.