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.
Kohberger judge has concerns about misinformation spreading from images taken from video if cameras are allowed in courtroom
At Bryan Kohberger’s hearing on Wednesday, Judge John Judge brought up concerns about misinformation spreading if cameras were to be allowed in the courtroom.
“Can I really trust the media to do the right thing?” he said. “And it’s not necessarily the camera people. It’s where that video goes.. And how commentators talk about it.”
Wendy Olsen, the attorney representing the media coalition, responded to the judge arguing the “way to battle misinformation is to provide the accurate information,” Ms Olsen said.
“The accurate information is what happens inside this courtroom with the cameras positioned in a place that provides the best, most overall perspective of the courtroom.”
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
At the time of the murders, Mr Kohberger was studying for his PhD and working as a teaching assistant in criminal justice at WSU.
Prior to this, Mr Kohberger studied criminology at DeSales University first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.
According to online school records, Mr Kohberger received an associate arts degree in 2018 from Northampton Community College in Albrightsville and received a masters degree in criminal justice this year from DeSales University.
While studying at DeSales, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.
He was working part-time as a security guard until August 2021 at Pleasant Valley School District, where his mother was listed as a paraprofessional.
The alleged murderer carried out a research project “to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime”.
Mr Kohberger reached out to potential participants on Reddit, with the chilling survey resurfacing after his arrest.
“In particular, this study seeks to understand the story behind your most recent criminal offense, with an emphasis on your thoughts and feelings throughout your experience,” the post said.
His fascination appears to have continued around the time of the murders when he applied for an internship with the local police department.
The affidavit revealed that he applied for an internship in the fall of 2022 with the Pullman Police Department and wrote in an essay how he had an interest “in assisting rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations”.
What we don’t know in Kohberger case
No murder weapon has been found, police said before the gag order was issued following Mr Kohberger’s arrest.
It is not known if the killer personally knew one or more of the victims and whether the attack was carried out in a fit of jealousy or rage. No motive is known.
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”.
Investigators have not revealed whether they believed the killer entered the house before the victims arrived home and hid before striking in their sleep or whether he entered the house after the students returned.
What comes next in Kohberger case?
The judge had set Mr Kohberger’s trial date for 2 October 2023 following requests by Kohberger’s attorney and the state.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case, citing five “aggravating circumstances” that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment.
But, in a shock move, Mr Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, causing the trial to be delayed indefinitely.
Now, he is fighting to have cameras removed from the courtroom – a request that prosecutors at least in part agree with.
The judge heard arguments on the matter on Wednesday, but has not yet issued a ruling.
Mr Kohberger is set to be back in court on 22 September after filing a motion to dismiss the charges against him.
Bryan Kohberger grins during hearing over whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during his murder
What happened at Bryan Kohberger’s hearing to ban cameras from the courtroom?
An Idaho judge heard from both sides about whether cameras should be allowed in the courtroom for the Bryan Kohberger’s murder trial, but no decision was immediately made.
Both the state and the defence gave reasons for their desire to keep cameras out of the courtroom, but a media coalition also filed a motion - to “intervene”, requesting that a camera be present.
The defence told the judge on Wednesday that they are concerned the trial would be turned into a spectacle.
There was also concern about the images taken from the video being manipulated and shared on social media.
The defence suggested if a camera is allowed, it be positioned somewhere other than directly behind their team. The judge agreed and suggested moving it to the back of the room.
The state said the media plays an important role in the judicial process, but told the court their concerns over vulnerable witness testimony and graphic evidence being shown on camera.
The judge told the court he is taking the arguments into consideration and will issue a written ruling at a later date.
Four students stabbed to death, a weeks-long manhunt but no motive: What we know about the Idaho murders
The murder of four college students in the quiet town of Moscow, Idaho, last November unravelled a months-long investigation that is now headed to trial.
The victims, all students at the University of Idaho, were ambushed in their rooms and stabbed to death with a military-style knife that has yet to be found.
Police were called to the gruesome scene at the off-campus residence almost eight hours after the vicious attack.
Read more:
What to know about Idaho murders and suspect Bryan Kohberger
As the sole suspect in the stabbings of four Idaho students heads to trial, Andrea Blanco, Rachel Sharp and Sheila Flynn report on the case in small town Idaho that has shocked America
Defence wants news cameras out of the courtroom
Attorneys for a man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death late last year want cameras banned from the courtroom, contending that news coverage of the criminal proceedings has violated a judge’s orders and threatens his right to a fair trial.
Bryan Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths at a rental house near the university campus 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, and the case is scheduled for trial this fall, although it could be postponed.
Kohberger was a graduate student studying 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.
WATCH: Judge in Kohberger case concerned coverage could 'spin out of control'
Families of Idaho murder victims break from prosecutors as they 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”.
Mr Kohberger is facing the death penalty over the brutal murders of Goncalves, Kernodle and two other University of Idaho students.
He is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road, Moscow, and stabbing Goncalves, Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin to death with a large, military-style knife in November 2022.
It comes after Mr Kohberger filed a motion on 24 August asking the judge to toss cameras from the courtroom.
Read more:
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