Bryan Kohberger trial's new Idaho judge has a history of handling violent murder cases.

Bryan Kohberger, the 29-year-old criminologist accused of a quadruple home invasion murder, will soon be released from more than 18 months in jail in Moscow, Idaho.

The Boise courthouse will host Kohberger's trial, with District Judge Steven Hippler presiding and Kohberger being transferred to a nearby jail, as ordered by Idaho's Chief Justice Richard Bevan in a one-page order.

Ada County's courthouse will be larger to accommodate more people and a big gallery of reporters for Kohberger's trial, which is set for next year. Hippler has experience with high-profile murder cases.

"According to David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney, Judge Hippler seems to be an experienced trial judge who handles serious cases. However, this case, which has generated significant national interest, will be entirely different."

In March, Hippler sentenced a drunken driver to life in prison for intentionally striking two pedestrians, one fatally, stating that the defendant posed a danger to the community and would continue to do so for a long time.

Last year, Hippler presided over the trial of David Randall, who was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend. Randall had tortured and beaten her before stabbing her to death when she stopped by to pick up some belongings. Initially, Randall pleaded guilty in a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, but later he attempted to withdraw his plea. Hippler rejected his arguments and ultimately sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

At the time of the report by the Idaho Statesman, Darla Fletcher was stabbed more than 50 times with a screwdriver and a drumstick, making her the victim in that case.

In 2022, Hippler sentenced the parents of 9-year-old Emrik Osuna to life without parole for their son's murder. The boy was tortured, beaten, and starved to death, and evidence was recovered from a "nanny cam" in their apartment. Additionally, Hippler imposed a 100-year no-contact order preventing the parents from communicating with their other children.

Idaho's last execution was in 2012, and while Hippler has typically agreed to prosecutors' sentencing requests, he has not imposed the death penalty.

The defense is attempting to prevent the death penalty from being sought in Kohberger's case.

Boise, the state capital and county seat, is located in Ada County, Idaho's most populous county with nearly 500,000 residents, significantly higher than Latah County's population of less than 40,000.

Last week, District Judge John Judge granted the defense's request for a change of venue in Latah County. In his order, he stated that the state's Supreme Court would make the final decision on where the trial would be relocated.

According to Edwina Elcox, a defense attorney in Boise who once represented "cult mom" killer Lori Vallow, some legal experts in the city had predicted Hippler's selection.

The judge is expected to make his presence known right away during the trial, which is scheduled to take place in June 2025.

"She informed Planet Chronicle Digital that she believed Judge Hippler would establish his own timelines and deadlines and strictly adhere to them."

The trial of 29-year-old Kohberger, who has been held in jail in Moscow since his arrest in Pennsylvania, was sought to be held at the courthouse in Moscow.

The defense argued that the local community and media coverage were biased against him, making it impossible for him to receive a fair trial in Latah County. As a result, he claimed that he could face a lynch mob if acquitted. The defense stated that it would "gladly agree to" a change of venue in three larger counties, including Ada County.

On November 13, 2022, at 4 a.m., Kohberger is alleged to have entered a six-bedroom rental home and murdered four students with a large knife.

Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were all 21 years old.

The house, which has since been torn down, was just steps off campus where all four were attending the University of Idaho.

At Washington State University, about 10 miles away across the state line, Kohberger was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology.

At his May 2023 arraignment, Kohberger pleaded not guilty to four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary.