Kohberger Defense Costs Surge Past $8M

Boise News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

Bryan Kohberger’s defense has already cost nearly $5.5 million—still climbing—and when you add law enforcement, prosecution, and jail expenses, taxpayer spending tops $8 million. Yet most spending details remain sealed in court files, with the Idaho Statesman fighting in court to unseal them. Kohberger’s attorneys claim confidentiality, even appealing a judge’s order to the Idaho Supreme Court. While his guilty plea spared trial costs, his defense alone dwarfs other major state cases. Since October, Idaho’s new Public Defender’s Office has paid over $2.6 million, withholding exact figures…