Bryan Kohberger: Father of Idaho murders victim says she was ‘trapped’ as judge considers camera ban
Both the defence and the prosecution have asked to restrict cameras as the case of the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students continues to attract national attention
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The father of a University of Idaho murder victim has claimed there was evidence that his daughter tried to escape her murderer.
Families of the victims spoke with CBS News’ Peter Van Sant for a special on the murders that will be aired on Saturday. It comes just days after the sole suspect in the Moscow quadruple murders, Bryan Kohberger, appeared in court for a hearing where a judge heard arguments on cameras in the courtroom.
“There’s evidence to show that she awakened and tried to get out of that situation, [but] she was assaulted and stabbed,” Steve Goncalves said of his daughter, Kaylee Goncalves.
On Wednesday, both the defence and the prosecution asked to restrict cameras as the brutal slayings of four university students continue to attract national attention. The hearing ended with no decision on the matter.
Latah County District Judge John Judge said other trials with cameras have “spun out of control” and that what is happening is “not entertainment, [but] a tragic issue.”
Mr Kohberger, the former criminology PhD student, was indicted earlier this year in the November 2022 killings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
Families of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle want cameras in court
The families of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle have released a statement saying that they want to keep cameras in the courtroom as they want the “veil of secrecy” to be lifted from the case.
Read the statement below:
“It is vitally important that this trial be open to the public to view and watch. There is an enormous amount of media coverage about this case (some good, some bad) and with that comes the responsibility of the Court to ensure a fair trial. The thing that is most overlooked in reviewing the motions filed by the State (who took no position in it’s original motion dated June 6, 2023-stating it relied on the discretion of the Court and now is taking a different position) and the Defense is faith in the justice system.
“This Case is surrounded by secrecy. Everything is either sealed or redacted. The family has not received any discovery on this case or any information about the facts of the case from the State. No one knows anything about the case which leads to speculation. That speculation is fueled by the secrecy surrounding everything that is filed and every hearing that is closed off to the media and the public. Only through independent investigation has the Family been able to get some information.
“So it is vitally important that the trial be viewed publicly! It is important to the victims family, relatives, community members and the public that this veil of secrecy be lifted at trial. This not only ensures accountability for all the parties involved but also helps the public maintain it’s faith in the justice system!”
RECAP: Why Idaho victim’s mother will not attend Bryan Kohberger’s trial
What we still don’t know in Idaho murders case
Many questions remain about the case that shocked America.
No murder weapon has ever been found.
It is not known if the killer personally knew one or more of the victims or what the motive may have been.
Authorities have refused to reveal who made the 911 call and will not release the audio. It is unclear what the roommates and “other friends” discussed in the call and what led them to describe a victim as merely “unconscious”.
Bryan Kohberger to appear in court today
Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger will appear in court today in Latah County, Idaho, where a judge will hear arguments from both sides who have filed motions to ban cameras from the courtroom.
The defence filed the motion in August to ban cameras from proceedings arguing the media coverage is hurting their client’s right to a fair trial.
The state then joined the defence in the effort to ban cameras, writing that they should be removed “at a minimum” during sensitive witness testimony.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said in the filing that the team is “concerned” that cameras “will have a substantial chilling effect on the ability of witnesses to openly, fully and candidly testify about some horrible occurrences.”
The hearing is set for 2pm local time (PT) in Latah County, Idaho.
Does Bryan Kohberger have an alibi?
Months after his arrest, Bryan Kohberger finally offered up a vague alibi for the night that he is accused of brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.
The 28-year-old claims he was out on a solo drive throughout the night of 12 November and into the early hours of 13 November – but admits that there are no witnesses to back up his version of events.
“Mr. Kohberger has long had a habit of going for drives alone. Often he would go for drives at night,” his attorney Anne Taylor wrote in a court filing.
“He did so late on November 12 and into November 13, 2022. Mr. Kohberger is not claiming to be at a specific location at a specific time; at this time there is not a specific witness to say precisely where Mr. Kohberger was at each moment of the hours between late night November 12, 2022 and early morning November 13, 2022.
“He was out, driving during the late night and early morning hours of November 12-13, 2022.”
Why attorneys want cameras out of the courtroom
Attorneys for both the prosecution and defence are trying to keep cameras out of the courtroom, citing concerns over recent media coverage.
Mr Kohberger’s defence team has been in favor of banning cameras from the courtroom, arguing that the coverage is hurting their client’s right to a fair trial.
The prosecution joined in weeks later, filing a motion stating that they were “concerned” that cameras “will have a substantial chilling effect on the ability of witnesses to openly, fully and candidly testify about some horrible occurrences.”
The families of two of the victims Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle say they want a fair trial. But in order for that to happen, cameras need to be present in the courtroom, they said in a statement.
What time is Bryan Kohberger’s hearing?
The Idaho murders suspect is scheduled to be in court in Latah County at 2pm local time (PT).
Attorneys for both the defence and the prosecution have asked to restrict cameras as the case of the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students continues to attract national attention.
Judge John Judge will hear arguments before making a decision.
What is Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger charged with?
Bryan Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths of four University of Idaho students at their off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, last November.
A judge entered a not-guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf earlier this year.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has said he intends to seek the death penalty.
The trial was set to start on 3 October, but Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, delaying it indefinitely.
Families of Idaho murder victims call for cameras in Bryan Kohberger’s trial
The families of two Idaho murders victims have called for cameras to document the trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger.
The families of Kayle Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, broke from prosecutors and called for Mr Kohberger’s trial to be “open to the public to view and watch”.
It comes after Mr Kohberger filed a motion on 24 August asking the judge to toss cameras from the courtroom.
A hearing on the matter will be held today at 2pm local time (5pm Eastern Time).
Rachel Sharp reports:
Families of Idaho murder victims call for cameras in Bryan Kohberger’s trial
Kohberger is facing the death penalty over the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students
Bryan Kohberger claims media are ‘focusing on his crotch’
Bryan Kohberger is about to appear in court in Latah County today in an effort to ban cameras from his high-profile trial after bizarrely claiming that the media is honing in on his crotch.
The hearing is set for 2pm local time (5pm Eastern Time).
On 24 August, Mr Kohberger’s attorney Anne Taylor argued that past footage from his court appearances had focused heavily on his crotch.
“Mr. Kohberger is entitled to defend himself against capital criminal charges without cameras focused on his fly,” his attorney wrote, adding that the media had been previously warned not to focus solely on Mr Kohberger but “failed” to comply.
A group of media outlets have pushed back on the defence’s request motion, asking the judge to allow cameras to remain. They argued that no photographic or film coverage had focused on his fly.
“Although Mr. Kohberger argues that he is ‘entitled to defend himself against capital charges without cameras focused on his fly,’ that assertion misstates the role that courtroom camera coverage played in the X social media post that appears at page 3 of his motion. No photographs or camera coverage focused on Mr. Kohberger’s ‘fly,’” it states.