Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger cites 'mob justice' fears, wants courtroom camera ban
The man accused of stabbing four Idaho college students to death last year has claimed media coverage is whipping up a push for "mob justice" and asked a judge to ban cameras from the courtroom.
In a new court filing, Bryan Kohberger objected to television and social media commentators dissecting his previous video-recorded court appearances. His lawyers argue that descriptions of Kohberger published by online commentators, including ones with terms such as "cold iciness" or "a demon," could prejudice potential jurors. The judge in the case has scheduled a Friday hearing on Kohberger's motion.
Authorities say DNA evidence left on a knife sheath found at the stabbing scene in Moscow, Idaho, ties Kohberger to the deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; and Xana Kernodle, 20, whose bodies were found by another roommate on Nov. 13. Amid a gag order in the case, online and television commenters have speculated wildly about a possible motive and connection between Kohberger and the victims.
What does Brian Kohberger's legal team claim in the new filing?
Kohberger argues the heavy coverage threatens his presumption of innocence and constitutional right to a fair trial before a jury of his peers.
"However much it may help the horrific pain of the victims' families to scream at the system, their alternative – mob justice – is far worse. It helps nothing to come to court assuming guilt. It helps nothing to overcome law in Latah County and kill an innocent man or have a worthless conviction overturned," Kohberger's attorneys wrote.
They added: "As such, these phrases are used to characterize and make determinations about an individual based on limited footage with no regard for the presumption of innocence which may impact a jury’s opinion. Therefore, the presence of cameras allows for the potential that the courtroom will devolve from a place for the victim, society, and the accused to receive justice to a mere spectacle."
Media groups push to relax gag order in Kohberger case
A coalition of media groups wants the judge to relax the gag order in the case, arguing that the public and journalists have a right to more details.
In separate court filings, multiple reporters attested that their ability to cover the case has been hampered by the wide-ranging gag order and asked the judge to soften it. While judges are not obligated to permit cameras in their courtrooms, they are required to consider the First Amendment in blocking access to records and proceedings.
"If anything, the gag order prejudices Mr. Kohberger by depriving the public of quality information, creating a vacuum for rampant speculation online," attorneys for the media coalition wrote.
What has Bryan Kohberger been charged with?
Kohberger has been indicted on murder and burglary charges by a grand jury but the proceedings and most of the evidence remain secret. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
A judge has entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. Investigators say Kohberger was a Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University across the nearby state line in Pullman.
The father of one of the victims said he believes Kohberger was stalking her. A surviving roommate said she saw a tall, thin masked man with bushy eyebrows inside the house after hearing noises coming from another bedroom, but she went back to bed and didn't call for help.
Kohberger was taken into custody on Dec. 29 in his parents' home in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 2,500 miles from where the stabbings occurred.