Latest news with #JoshHurwit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Judge: Kohberger trial 'likely' to stay on schedule
Jun. 19—Ada County District Judge Steven Hippler said Wednesday that the Bryan Kohberger trial is likely to start in August as scheduled. Hippler heard arguments from the murder suspect's attorney Anne Taylor regarding her motion to delay the trial. Taylor argued Kohberger's constitutional rights would be violated if the trial begins in two months. Hippler also heard counterarguments from Josh Hurwit, a special deputy prosecuting attorney. Hippler said he would take the matter under advisement, but urged the attorneys to proceed as if the trial will start Aug. 11 as scheduled. "As of now I would tell you that it's likely you're going to trial on the date indicated," he said. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Taylor and her team filed a motion to continue May 20, which asked the judge to postpone the trial. On Wednesday, she said it is necessary to protect several of Kohberger's constitutional rights, including his right to a fair trial, due process and a fair sentencing. It has been 2 1/2 years since Kohberger's arrest, but Taylor said they are still reviewing the 68 terabytes of information and multiple requests for discovery associated with the investigation.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Attorney for District of Idaho leaves office. Here's who will take over
Josh Hurwit left his position Friday as the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, after spending the last couple of years focusing on issues including civil rights and hate crimes, fentanyl and COVID-19 fraud, according to a news release. It's typical for political appointees to leave at the beginning of a new presidential administration, the release said. Hurwit was nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2022, according to previous Statesman reporting. 'I've enjoyed every day of it,' Hurwit, 44, told the Statesman by phone Saturday. 'It will be an adjustment to not be in the role, but personally, I'm always looking forward to the next challenge.' Hurwit worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Idaho between 2012 and his confirmation, the release said, and plans to stay in Boise. The First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Justin Whatcott, will be the acting U.S. Attorney in the meantime, he said. In his role, Hurwit said it was important to him to 'enforce the rule of law' in all parts of the state, including more rural areas. The office assigned a prosecutor to be the lead person in the Magic Valley, he said. 'I was on the road a lot,' Hurwit said. 'I made it to 40 of 44 counties to meet with partners.' He also spent time on civil rights in hate crimes, as part of a nationwide initiative to make people feel more comfortable reporting incidents, even if what happened wasn't actually against the law. 'I don't think Idaho necessarily has, statistically speaking, a more significant problem with hate crimes,' Hurwit said. 'But we do see various forms of hate in Idaho, some lawful, some that turns into violence which becomes a federal crime.' For now, he'll take some time off. Hurwit said he expects the office will continue partnering with local law enforcement. While there's a lot of focus on federal employees and the Department of Justice right now, Hurwit said, he added that he couldn't speak highly enough about the people in his office. Seven federal prosecutors resigned this week after a request to dismiss a case against New York Mayor Eric Adams so he could focus on immigration enforcement, according to CNN and CNBC. The Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss Friday. '(The people in his office) do this job, not because it's lucrative, not because it gives any sort of notoriety to them,' Hurwit said. 'They do it because they believe in our Constitution and they believe in doing things the right way.'
