MOSCOW, Idaho — The home on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where four University of Idaho students were tragically killed last year, was demolished on Thursday morning. The knockdown of the house, guarded by security for over 13 months, marked a significant but emotional moment for the victims' families and the wider University of Idaho community.
Maddie Mogen's father, Ben Mogen, voiced his support for the university's choice to tear down the residence, expressing his reluctance to let anyone else occupy the home. Conflicting sentiments emerged from the Goncalves and Kernodle families, urging Latah County prosecutors and the university to halt the demolition until after the trial. They emphasized the need for a trial date, advocating for justice to be served before the house's removal.
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Jodi Walker, a spokesperson for the University of Idaho, highlighted the institution's collaboration with both prosecution and defense, stating their readiness pending the green light for the demolition.
Recent legal statements received by KREM 2 shed light on the evolving situation, with the Latah County Prosecuting Attorney indicating that the current state of the premises no longer aligns with the condition at the time of the homicides, suggesting a jury view would not be warranted.
The University of Idaho announced plans for demolition following the property's donation to the university, initially planning to demolish it before the 2023-2024 school year. However, delays ensued as families expressed their wishes to wait until the case reached a resolution, leading to multiple re-evaluations by the university regarding the timing of the demolition.
Jodie Walker told KREM 2, "We really came down to this time over the winter break in an attempt to keep it from impacting our students who are here on campus."
The decision to finally proceed with the demolition is seen by the university as a step towards the community's healing, emphasizing the support received from their student body throughout this difficult period.
"We continue to heal as a community, and this is definitely a step toward that, and all the credit in the world to our students. They have just been incredible over the last year pulling together, supporting each other," Walker said.
Once the demolition concludes, the fate of the property remains uncertain, with no definitive plans outlined by the university.
The demolition process is expected to begin at 7 a.m. Thursday, and may take several days for completion, with debris set to be transported to a local disposal site. Amidst the controversy and closure, the university underscores its commitment to its students' well-being and the community's healing.
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