West
Bryan Kohberger case: Idaho judge to unseal transcript of closed-door hearing
FIRST ON FOX: The Idaho judge overseeing the case against student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger has announced that he will release a redacted transcript from a closed-door hearing held last week, which he had initially barred the public – and the media – from attending.
Ada County Judge Steven Hippler told court officials to hand over verbatim copies of the unredacted transcript from the sealed hearing on Jan. 23 to both the prosection and the defense so they could recommend redactions.
“The parties will have fourteen (14) days to identify those portions of the transcript that should be redacted from public disclosure, providing a basis for the same,” he wrote in an order made public Tuesday. “Thereafter, the Court will release to the public a redacted transcript of the previously closed portion of the hearing.”
NEW REVELATIONS IN IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS CASE AS DEFENSE GRILLS LEAD DETECTIVE IN COURT
Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger, second from left in the front row, appears in court as attorney Anne Taylor, right, argues against warrants used in his arrest. (Idaho Judicial Branch)
The hearing regarded forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence that Kohberger’s lawyers want thrown out.
SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
During a two-day public proceeding that followed the closed hearing last week, they argued that the FBI violated Kohberger’s Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
“I struggle with the idea that DNA left at a crime scene, that there’s any expectation of privacy,” Hippler told Kohberger’s lead defense attorney, Anne Taylor.
Hippler appeared unreceptive to their arguments that the IGG techniques violated Kohberger’s constitutional rights and questioned whether the defendant even had standing to challenge the investigatory tactic.
BRYAN KOHBERGER LOOKS TO DODGE DEATH PENALTY WITH PAGE FROM ‘CULT MOM’ LORI VALLOW’S PLAYBOOK
Bryan Kohberger arrives at Monroe County Courthouse in Pennsylvania in advance of an extradition hearing. He’s charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
“It wasn’t his DNA that was searched,” Hippler said. “At best, it was his ancestors.”
Taylor also argued that the FBI violated its own internal policy when checking IGG samples against a database. The judge asked prosecutors why he should allow the evidence to be introduced.
I can’t imagine that there isn’t really eye-opening information contained in that transcript. I think we will learn what the state has been fighting so hard to keep from the defense and the public.
They countered that there’s no expectation of privacy in connection with public records and crime scene evidence, and Idaho Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye told the court that the FBI’s interim policy Taylor questioned “does not impose any legal limitations on otherwise lawful investigative or prosecutorial activities.”
Much of the IGG process has been sealed by the court, and the unredacted transcript could give new details about how investigators pieced together the case in the weeks following the murders and tracked Kohberger to his parents’ house in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.
Ahead of the hearing, the defense asked for the proceedings to be public and a briefing on the matter be unsealed, but Hippler denied the request.
Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and two other housemates in Goncalves’ final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. (@kayleegoncalves/Instagram)
“I can’t imagine that there isn’t really eye opening information contained in that transcript,” said Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based defense attorney who is closely following the case. “I think we will learn what the state has been fighting so hard to keep from the defense and the public.”
BRYAN KOHBERGER DEFENSE SLAMS CREDIBILITY OF EYEWITNESS, MEMORY ISSUES
Kohberger is scheduled for trial later this year in the home invasion murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. The attack took place around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, as all four were inside an off-campus house near the University of Idaho.
Kohberger, at the time, was a Ph.D. student studying criminology at Washington State University, which is just 10 miles away from the crime scene.
Latah County Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on Kohberger’s behalf at his arraignment in May 2023. Kohberger’s lawyers later successfully argued for a change of venue, transferring the case to Ada County under Judge Hippler.
Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
The defense is still awaiting Hippler’s decision on whether to grant a Franks hearing, in which they hope to have warrants in the case thrown out.
Experts say such hearings are rarely granted and even more rarely successful.
Read the full article from Here
Welcome to the NFL, rookies.
The Denver Broncos are set to hold a rookie minicamp from May 8-10, with players expected to report to the team’s facility today (May 7). One of the key players to watch will be running back Jonah Coleman, the club’s fourth-round pick in last month’s NFL draft.
“Ultimately, to be a Bronco is the best thing in the world,” Coleman told the Big Ten Network during a sideline interview at Washington’s spring game last week.
Coleman figures to begin his pro career as a third-string running back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, but he could quickly win playing time as a capable blocker and receiver.
Broncos offseason schedule
- Offseason program started: May 4
- Rookie minicamp: May 8-10
- OTAs: June 2-4; June 9-11
- Mandatory minicamp: June 16-18
With rookies reporting to the facility, we should get jersey number news soon. Denver’s draft class, undrafted free agent signings and several expected tryout players will participate in the rookie minicamp this weekend.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
GRAHAM, Wash. – As Washington faces a spring with severely low snowpack, fire districts across the state are ramping up preparations for Wildfire Awareness Month. At Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, some of the most effective team members are focusing on prevention, through meal time.
Station 96, now affectionately nicknamed “The Goat House,” deployed a herd of goats to serve as official “fuel mitigation specialists.” These four-legged lawnmowers are tasked with clearing thick vegetation and maintaining the retention pond area around the station to ensure dry brush doesn’t become fuel for a potential fire.
The ‘G.O.A.T.’ of mitigation
While they may not look like your typical firefighters—and they certainly lack a sense of professional decorum—officials say the herd is setting a regional standard for wildfire prevention.
“They are the GOAT of […] fuel mitigation,” joked Wildfire Coordinator Jake Weigley.
The strategy is as practical as it is adorable. By having the goats graze the land, the department avoids spending crew downtime on weed whackers. This keeps firefighters ready for what they do best: responding to emergencies.
“It does save the taxpayers money, because our crews are able to focus on training and responding to calls,” Weigley said.
The “GoatFundMe’ account
Despite their official titles, these specialists aren’t on the public payroll. Their snacks, veterinary care, and general upkeep are funded internally through a “GoatFundMe” account, which is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from fire department and county employees.
The department hopes these stubborn workers will inspire residents to take notes on their own “defensible space” at home. Much like the goats clearing the field, fire officials recommend homeowners hardscape and remove any fuels that could carry a fire toward buildings.
A heightened season of awareness
The timing is critical. Following a winter with low precipitation, officials are on high alert for the upcoming fire season, though the full severity remains a question mark until the summer heat truly hits.
“We’re in a heightened level of awareness based on our snowpack and precipitation over the winter,” Weigley said. “But until fire season really gets started, we won’t know how severe it will be.”
Residents interested in meeting the herd can monitor the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue Facebook page for upcoming station events and community open houses. They ask to protect the goat’s health, you do not feed them.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Humane Society dog kills family pet at Tacoma Marathon, shelter apologizes
‘Arrest me’: Seattle man critiques city’s homelessness response
Fin whale found dead on WA’s Samish Island
Boater appeared passed out before crashing into rocks in Steilacoom
Spokane, WA woman chases child on sidewalk with car: video
Woman faces long road to recovery after Lime bike crash on Seattle’s Aurora Avenue
Covington, WA homicide suspect Kyle Cathcart in custody. Here’s what we know
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting from FOX 13 Seattle reporter Taylor Winkel.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Arts leaders packed City Hall Wednesday, urging city leaders to reconsider proposed cuts that would eliminate nearly $11.8 million in arts and culture funding from San Diego’s budget.
Representatives from some of San Diego’s most well-known cultural institutions, including the Mingei International Museum, the La Jolla Playhouse, and the Fleet Science Center, voiced their concerns at a budget review committee meeting.
Debby Buchholz, managing director of the La Jolla Playhouse, said: “The idea that America’s finest city would spend no money on arts and culture is reprehensible, frankly.”
Advocates argued the cut represents a fraction of the city’s overall spending.
“$11.5 million dollars in a $6.5 billion budget is not even a drop; it’s less than a quarter of 1% of the total budget,” Buchholz added.
Arts advocates warned the impact would be immediate, with potential layoffs, program cuts, and even closures.
Jessica Hanson York, executive director of the Mingei International Museum, said, “We are huge employers of people who are making a living as creatives in this community and we want our artists and creative contributors to be able to stay here, and it doesn’t help when we don’t have the support to keep them employed.”
During the meeting, Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee questioned the mayor’s office about whether an economic impact analysis had been completed.
Kent Lee asked “Was an economic impact analysis completed in regards to arts and culture?”
The mayor’s office responded that no such analysis had been conducted.
Lee also pressed the mayor’s office on whether and when arts and culture funding might be restored.
The mayor’s office responded saying, “That’s a difficult question to answer I think there is a lot of desire to bring these funds back we are going to work hard to bring these funds back we recognize the impacts. I don’t have a specific plan for you today.”
Arts advocates say they want to see no cuts made to their funding. The full City Council will have the final say on the budget in the coming weeks.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
-
Dallas, TX6 minutes agoCowboys’ Stephen Jones says what NFL won’t admit about the Micah Parsons trade
-
Miami, FL12 minutes agoWhat we learned about the pecking order after Miami
-
Boston, MA18 minutes agoI was ready to hate the new Copley Square Park. Then I visited it. – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO24 minutes agoJonah Coleman says being a Bronco is ‘the best thing in the world’ as rookie camp begins
-
Seattle, WA29 minutes agoMeet the ‘fuel mitigation specialists’ protecting Pierce County from wildfires
-
San Diego, CA36 minutes ago
San Diego arts leaders push back against proposed $11.8M funding cuts at City Hall
-
Milwaukee, WI42 minutes agoMilwaukee FPC meeting; to talk Flock cameras, MPD’s ‘use of force’ policy
-
Atlanta, GA48 minutes agoBusy metro Atlanta ERs leave ambulance patients waiting outside, data shows