Idaho Judge Seizes Control of Courtroom Cameras in Bryan Kohberger's Student Murders Proceedings
Nov 22, 2023, 12:00 PM
In a significant development in the highly publicized quadruple university student murder case, Idaho District Judge John Judge has granted defendant Bryan Kohberger's request to remove media cameras from the courtroom. However, the proceedings will continue to be accessible to the public through a court-provided live stream on Judge John Judge's YouTube channel.
The decision to limit media camera access follows months of intense scrutiny and coverage of the case. Judge John Judge justified this move, citing concerns about the overwhelming focus on Bryan Kohberger and the resulting negative headlines and news articles. He believes that the continuous photographing and video coverage of Kohberger's actions inside the courtroom should cease.
In his ruling, Judge stated, "It is the intense focus on Kohberger and his every move, along with adverse headlines and news articles, that leads the Court to conclude that continued photograph and video coverage inside the courtroom by the media should no longer be permitted."
The court's decision also includes restrictions on members of the media and the public. They will no longer be allowed to record their video or audio during future hearings. Instead, a court-provided livestream will be available for public access through Judge John Judge's YouTube channel. Additionally, Judge denied a motion by a media coalition to intervene in the case.
Judge John Judge expressed frustration with the media's past behavior, accusing them of violating his previous directives. He specifically mentioned the media's tendency to exclusively zoom in on Kohberger's face and record before or after court sessions, contrary to his requests.
"Additionally, defense counsel has raised continued concerns with video footage and photographs capturing private documents on counsel table. This is again in violation of the Court’s directives," Judge wrote. "The State has also raised issues of vulnerable victims and witnesses being filmed during testimony. At this juncture, the Court has no confidence that directives to stop photographing or videoing during such testimony would be adhered to."
The case revolves around Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in a brutal attack that occurred in a rental home where three of the victims lived. The victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, all 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20, suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack. Some of them were asleep at the start of the incident, and investigators found a knife sheath with the suspect's DNA under one victim's body.
Bryan Kohberger, who is about to turn 29, was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University at the time of the crime. He holds a master's degree in criminal justice from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
During his arraignment in May, Kohberger declined to enter a plea. As a result, Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary. If convicted, Kohberger could potentially face the death penalty, specifically execution by firing squad, under Idaho law.
As the case proceeds with heightened public attention, the court's decision to limit media camera access aims to ensure a fair trial while reducing the intense media focus surrounding Bryan Kohberger and the quadruple student murder case.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The decision to limit media camera access follows months of intense scrutiny and coverage of the case. Judge John Judge justified this move, citing concerns about the overwhelming focus on Bryan Kohberger and the resulting negative headlines and news articles. He believes that the continuous photographing and video coverage of Kohberger's actions inside the courtroom should cease.
In his ruling, Judge stated, "It is the intense focus on Kohberger and his every move, along with adverse headlines and news articles, that leads the Court to conclude that continued photograph and video coverage inside the courtroom by the media should no longer be permitted."
The court's decision also includes restrictions on members of the media and the public. They will no longer be allowed to record their video or audio during future hearings. Instead, a court-provided livestream will be available for public access through Judge John Judge's YouTube channel. Additionally, Judge denied a motion by a media coalition to intervene in the case.
Judge John Judge expressed frustration with the media's past behavior, accusing them of violating his previous directives. He specifically mentioned the media's tendency to exclusively zoom in on Kohberger's face and record before or after court sessions, contrary to his requests.
"Additionally, defense counsel has raised continued concerns with video footage and photographs capturing private documents on counsel table. This is again in violation of the Court’s directives," Judge wrote. "The State has also raised issues of vulnerable victims and witnesses being filmed during testimony. At this juncture, the Court has no confidence that directives to stop photographing or videoing during such testimony would be adhered to."
The case revolves around Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in a brutal attack that occurred in a rental home where three of the victims lived. The victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, all 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20, suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack. Some of them were asleep at the start of the incident, and investigators found a knife sheath with the suspect's DNA under one victim's body.
Bryan Kohberger, who is about to turn 29, was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University at the time of the crime. He holds a master's degree in criminal justice from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
During his arraignment in May, Kohberger declined to enter a plea. As a result, Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary. If convicted, Kohberger could potentially face the death penalty, specifically execution by firing squad, under Idaho law.
As the case proceeds with heightened public attention, the court's decision to limit media camera access aims to ensure a fair trial while reducing the intense media focus surrounding Bryan Kohberger and the quadruple student murder case.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com