The defense team for the individual accused of committing the tragic deaths of four University of Idaho students has been granted access to the off-campus residence where the incidents took place. This access will enable the lawyers to gather photographs, measurements, and other necessary documentation before the house is demolished later this month.

The accused, Bryan Kohberger, has been charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths at the rental house located just one block away from the university campus in Moscow, Idaho. Earlier this year, a not-guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf by a judge. Although Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has expressed his intention to seek the death penalty, no trial date has been set yet.

Kohberger's defense team was granted access to the home on Thursday, and they are expected to visit again on Friday, according to the university.

The university took possession of the home earlier this year, where students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves tragically lost their lives. The university officials have decided to demolish the house on December 28, in the hopes that removing it will lessen the impact of the deaths on the nearby students.

"It is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there," the president of the University of Idaho has said. "While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue."

Kohberger was a graduate student of criminology at Washington State University, which is a short drive from the scene of the killings across the state border. He was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania, and the unusual details of the case have drawn widespread interest. Investigators have pieced together DNA evidence, cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings.

According to an affidavit, Kohberger's cellphone pinged in the vicinity of the house 12 times prior to the murders. Steve Goncalves, Kaylee's father, told "48 Hours" in September that before the gag order, one of the lead investigators told him they believe Kohberger had been scouting out the house.

"He had to know when people were coming, people were going," Steve Goncalves said.

University officials are working with students to design a memorial garden that will be built on the property once the house is gone.

The Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial

A new memorial called "The Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial" is being created to honor the four students who lost their lives. This memorial will serve as a place for students and community members to reflect and remember their loved ones. The name of the memorial is a tribute to the school's sports teams, known as "The Vandals," and their mascot, Joe Vandal.

The university stated on their website, "The sad reality is that we lose students each year to a variety of causes. In the wake of loss, we turn to each other for support and healing."

In relation to a separate case, the FBI recently visited a house to gather additional data for the trial. However, a gag order has been issued by the judge, prohibiting anyone involved in the case from discussing it publicly.

The judge has also made the decision to ban cameras and audio recording devices from the courtroom, citing concerns about the defendant's right to a fair trial. However, the court will provide a livestream of the proceedings on its YouTube channel.

Opposition to Demolition

The family of one of the victims is opposing the demolition of the house connected to the case.

Recreated News

Let us ask this: Isn't it better to have the King Rd. House and not need it than need the house and not have it? That has been our question to the Prosecution and the University of Idaho for the entire time the demo of the King Road has been an issue. But why is it even up for discussion? This is one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Idaho and the University of Idaho wants to destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the case - and it is also important to make note that there is now a demolition date before there is even a trial date set. This alone speaks volumes.

It is obvious from the two recent visits to the house, by both the Prosecution and the Defense, that there is still evidentiary value in having the King Road house still standing. There may be additional discovery by either party that prompts one side or the other to go back to the scene of the crime. There has always been a dialogue about their 3-D imaging or they are building a model to replicate the home, etc…First and foremost, what a waste of state money and resources and secondly, nothing replaces the real thing. Jurors are notoriously unpredictable and they tend to make decisions on a variety of facts and circumstances. It would be foolish of us to try and foresee what they will want or need to make a just verdict in this case.