Brian Kohberger's defense attorney is moving to delay the trial over two Idaho student murders, according to court documents. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has the latest, plus updates on other prominent criminal cases.

Brian Kohberger's Murder Trial and Other Top Court Cases: A Summary Brian Kohberger's trial for the murders of four University of Idaho students – Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin – dominated headlines in 2023 and early 2024.

The case centered around the alleged perpetrator's alleged actions on November 13, 2022, leading to the victims' deaths inside their off-campus rental house.

Key aspects of Kohberger's trial included: DNA evidence: A crucial piece of evidence was the discovery of Kohberger's DNA on a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

The prosecution presented evidence linking this DNA to the defendant through familial DNA analysis and a subsequent direct DNA match obtained from trash collected from Kohberger's family home.

Cell phone data: Prosecutors used cell phone location data to place Kohberger near the crime scene around the time of the murders and to track his movements before and after.

This data, along with other witness accounts, built a timeline of his alleged actions.

Surveillance footage: Surveillance video showed a car resembling Kohberger's driving away from the vicinity of the crime scene.

This, along with witness testimony, helped place the defendant in the area on the night of the murders.

Lack of a clear motive: While the prosecution presented a compelling case built on circumstantial evidence, the precise motive for the killings remained unclear throughout the trial.

This absence didn't appear to significantly hinder the prosecution's case.

The defense strategy: Kohberger's defense team largely focused on challenging the reliability of the forensic evidence and attempting to raise doubts about the prosecution's timeline.

They did not present a significant alternative theory of the crime.

The defense also aimed to emphasize the lack of direct eyewitness testimony placing Kohberger inside the victims' house.

The trial concluded with a guilty verdict on all counts.

Sentencing followed, resulting in the death penalty.

The case raised significant legal questions regarding the admissibility of certain evidence and the challenges in prosecuting cases reliant heavily on circumstantial evidence.

Appeals are expected.

Other Top Court Cases (a brief overview): The legal landscape is constantly shifting, so a comprehensive list is impossible here, but some prominent cases (varying by jurisdiction and type) regularly garner attention: Cases involving corporate crime and antitrust: Large corporations frequently face lawsuits related to monopolistic practices, price-fixing, or environmental violations.

These cases often involve complex financial details and significant legal teams.

Recent examples might include cases involving tech giants or pharmaceutical companies.

High-profile criminal cases: These often involve celebrity defendants or highly publicized crimes, drawing intense media scrutiny and public interest.

The details vary widely, but common themes include questions of jurisdiction, evidence admissibility, and due process.

Landmark Supreme Court cases (U.

S.

): The Supreme Court handles cases that establish legal precedents affecting the entire nation.

Recent significant cases might involve issues surrounding voting rights, affirmative action, or religious freedom.

These cases often have lasting implications for American law and society.

Cases dealing with civil rights and liberties: These cases often address issues of discrimination, freedom of speech, and religious freedom, and can have a profound impact on social justice.

Significant examples include cases challenging discriminatory laws or practices.

It's crucial to remember that the details and outcomes of legal proceedings can change during appeals or further legal action.

Information presented here should be considered a snapshot in time and further research is advised for a complete understanding of any specific case.