One of the surviving roommates from the University of Idaho slayings is fighting a subpoena that would force her to testify in the defense of murder suspect Bryan Kohberger.
Bethany Funke, 21, one of two roommates who survived the deadly onslaught that killed four of her friends, has filed a motion to dismiss a subpoena from Kohberger’s attorneys, arguing that she has no information that could clear their client, the New York Post reported. The subpoena was filed April 21 to the district court in Washoe County, Nevada – where Funke resides.
“Bethany Funke has information material to the charges against Mr. Kohberger; portions of information Ms. Funke has is exculpatory to the defendant,” Kohberger’s attorney Richard Bitonti wrote in an affidavit, according to the New York Post. “Ms. Funke’s information is unique to her experiences and cannot be provided by another witness,” he continued.
Surviving Idaho roommate Bethany Funke fights having to testify at Bryan Kohberger trial as part of his defense https://t.co/5huDqwob09 pic.twitter.com/SZwMYdXn2S
— New York Post (@nypost) April 24, 2023
Funke and fellow surviving roommate Dylan Mortenson found the bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20, stabbed to death in the upper levels of their home in November 2022. In chilling testimony to law enforcement officers, Mortenson detailed how she had come face to face with the suspected killer as he fled the scene. (RELATED: Cop: Idaho Murders Suspect Made Crucial Mistake That Led Authorities To Arrest)
Funke’s attorneys have stated the court has no authority to summon a Nevada witness for a preliminary hearing and further claim the defense’s argument to summon Funke is “without support,” the New York Post reported.
“There is no further information or detail pertaining to the substance of this testimony, its materiality or the alleged exculpatory information of Ms. Funke or why it would be entertained at preliminary hearing,” Funke’s lawyers stated, according to the outlet.
Kohberger, who has yet to enter a plea, is scheduled to appear at the hearing during the week of June 26, the outlet stated.