In late August, Judge John Judge, who is the Latah County District Judge, requested the defense team of Kohberger to bar the cameras from the courtroom, arguing that it would infringe upon the accused’s constitutional rights.
Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson has requested the judge to, at the very least, eliminate the cameras while the testimony of “several youthful and susceptible witnesses” is being given. In response, the judge has expressed his own concerns regarding the media’s presence throughout the trial.
During the early hours of November, a home invasion took place where four victims, including three college students who were housemates in Idaho, were brutally murdered. Two of the housemates managed to survive, and there were some witnesses to the incident.
Thompson observed, “acquaintances and loved ones have experienced various forms of harassment and threats, including physical intrusions, but only non-student witnesses at the University have not been targeted, as a consequence of which certain witnesses have already been subjected to significant abuse on both social media and traditional platforms, at least partially, and in addition.”
In the arraignment of Kohberger, the judge pleaded not guilty on behalf of the defendant for four instances of first-degree murder and a burglary accusation, relating to the fatalities of Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves.
Kohberger said that the arrest following his exoneration is forward-looking. Prosecutors allege that investigators found a weapon on Mogen’s body and on the other hand, beside him.
During a late June hearing, the judge said that cameras will be held in the Idaho Moscow trial, where the focus will exclusively be on Kohberger and not on the wide courtroom shot.
Jay Logsdon, the defense attorney for Kohberger, cited the judge’s warning during his filing to remove cameras, arguing potential biasing against him by jurors due to subsequent coverage allegations.
In a recent disclosure, he expressed that the persistent noncompliance of “observers” with the Court’s directive from June 27th exacerbates this issue and leads to the constant bombardment of the potential jury pool with unsubstantiated allegations and sensationalized misinformation disguised as objective reporting and analysis.
A hearing regarding the matter is set for Wednesday. The murder trial will be subject to the final decision of the court’s cameras.
In previous instances, judges have rendered varying decisions in prominent cases. Alex Murdaugh and OJ Simpson were present for televised trials that were broadcasted to the American audience. Conversely, a judge predominantly prohibited the airing of ‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow’s trial.
Kohberger, who was studying for a Ph.D. In criminology at Washington State University, had previously been a student at the University of Idaho, located just 10 miles away.
If found guilty, Kohberger could potentially be sentenced to capital punishment.
Detectives utilized genetic genealogy at the location to construct a DNA profile based on the genetic material present on a knife cover, depending on genetic genealogy to construct their argument against Kohberger.
The FBI tracked down Kohberger by tracing his distant relatives through genetic genealogy databases, secretly collecting a sample of his father’s DNA to confirm his identity.
According to the police, a cheek swab was taken from the suspect arrested after the murders at the crime scene in Idaho. They claim that the DNA found on a knife sheath is a statistical match.
During the night of the killings, his defense argued that ‘currently, there is no particular eyewitness to accurately determine Kohberger’s whereabouts’. Nevertheless, in previous proceedings, prosecutors have demanded that Kohberger produce witnesses who can corroborate an alibi.
He was out driving during the early morning and late night hours of 2022, as stated by his attorneys, who clarified that he is not asserting to have been at a particular place at a particular time.
Prosecutors have demanded more specific details about his alleged alibi and are not willing to exonerate him based on the scene being in different places and not driving in the area.
On the evening of the murders, Kohberger’s attorneys have argued that he had a tendency to ‘take solitary drives at night’.
In the previous month, Kohberger relinquished his entitlement to a prompt trial, consequently postponing his initial trial date of October 2.
The prosecution did not oppose – acknowledging that the postponement was the optimal choice, even though they desired to reach a resolution promptly.
A hearing is presently scheduled for September 22, during which there will be additional deliberation regarding a trial date.
During the August hearing, Kohberger allegedly waived his right to a speedy trial, as he was seen taunting Goncalves Kaylee, a student from the University of Idaho, who was slain, with the death penalty.
In June, prosecutors signaled their intention to seek the capital punishment for Kohberger.
The family of Goncalves shared an emotional message on a Facebook page hours before expressing their fear that Kohberger’s trial would be delayed.
They penned, “Completely devastates me, it might take years to process. We desire to overcome this trial. Today, we kindly ask for prayers for our family.”