West
Bryan Kohberger judge lifts gag order after Idaho killer's confession
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Idaho Judge Steven Hippler vacated the gag order in the Bryan Kohberger quadruple murder case at a hearing Thursday.
Latah County Prosecuting Attorney notified the court in a filing dated Monday that his office would not oppose a motion from a group of media organizations, including FOX News, seeking to have the order lifted in the wake of Kohberger’s guilty pleas to all charges.
The intent of the order was to ensure Kohberger’s right to a fair trial, according to court filings. Now that he has admitted to the slayings of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin, 20, attorneys for the media argued that the gag is pointless.
Hippler agreed – but he said that lifting the order would not automatically unseal court documents. Those would be made public in batches, he said, upon review by the court.
BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEADS GUILTY TO IDAHO MURDERS
Bryan Kohberger arrives at Monroe County Courthouse in Pennsylvania in advance of highly anticipated extradition hearing. He’s charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
He said he would go in reverse chronological order, starting with documents he was most familiar with and moving back in time. The case did not arrive in his courtroom until another judge granted a change of venue in September.
In another twist – Hippler also said that although Kohberger’s plea deal requires him to waive his right to appeal, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a right to appeal under the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Garza v. Idaho.
“Now, I recognize the plea agreement includes a waiver of the right to appeal,” he said. “But as the parties probably know, the U.S. Supreme Court in Garza versus Idaho has indicated the fact that a defendant waives the right to appeal doesn’t mean they don’t have the right to appeal, and so it may affect the outcome of that appeal, and it may affect, the underlying case and the plea agreement.”
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)
Prosecutors initially requested the order remain in place until after Kohberger’s sentencing is made official next week, but they reversed course “upon further reflection,” according to their latest filing. The defense opposed lifting it early.
“Now that the Defendant has pleaded guilty as charged to all five (5) counts of the Indictment, his right to a fair trial on the issue of guilt is no longer at issue,” Thompson wrote. “Nevertheless, out of respect for the integrity of the judicial process and the privacy of the victims and their families as they consider their rights to provide victim impact statements at sentencing, the prosecution team does not intend to make any public statements about this case until after sentencing has concluded.”
IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEA CAPS YEARSLONG QUEST FOR JUSTICE
Idaho student murderer Bryan Kohberger attends a remote hearing over Zoom on Thursday, July 17, 2025. (Ada County Court)
A hearing on the motion is scheduled in Boise, Idaho, for 12:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. MT.
His sentencing is set for July 23. He is expected to receive the maximum penalty under the terms of the plea deal, four consecutive terms of life in prison without parole, plus another 10 years.
He also waived his right to appeal and to seek a sentence reduction.
Kohberger snuck into an off-campus house at 1122 King Road around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, and killed all four students with a Ka-Bar knife, according to prosecutors. He started in an upstairs bedroom, where he killed Mogen and Goncalves. Kernodle was awake on the main floor, and he killed her on the way out. Then he turned the knife on Chapin, who was asleep in her bedroom.
Bryan Kohberger, charged in the murders of four University of Idaho students, pleads guilty to all charges at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool)
He walked within three feet of another roommate, whom he did not attack, and then left.
Separately, a lawyer for the media coalition filed a motion asking the court to unseal nearly 250 documents in the case.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco releases the latest data on overdose deaths
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco says it is making progress on addressing the city’s drug crisis, but that there is still a lot of hard work ahead. The Department of Public Health Today released the latest data on overdose deaths in the city. Those numbers show some progress, but also show there is a long way to go.
San Francisco’s DPH released the latest data for overdose deaths in the city, a total of 36 for the month of December, and 621 for the whole year. Down from 635 in 2024.
“I will always emphasize that every single death from an overdose is unacceptable,” said SF Health Director, Dr. Daniel Tsai. “It’s preventable and any of these numbers are far too much. But, I am pleased and encouraged with the direction that we have been trending.”
The city saw a more dramatic drop between 2023 and 24 when the rate dropped from more than 800 overdose deaths.
A mayoral plan
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie touted his breaking the cycle plan, bringing together health services, social services, law enforcement and first responders to address the issue.
“Just this past year we opened 600 new treatment focused beds, so people on the street can get inside and get help,” said Mayor Lurie.
DPH said progress so far can be attributed to shifting tactics to make sure that those who are struggling have comprehensive treatment.
“In 2025 we made real progress,” said Dr. Christy Soran from SFDPH. “We move from a disconnected crisis response system that meets people at every stage from a crisis to long-term recovery we’ve invested in what works.”
Word from the top
Governor Gavin Newsom said San Francisco has made strides in addressing the crisis on the streets. The governor said there must be accountability from those struggling with addiction and homelessness, and accountability for the cities that aim to address the issue.
To qualify for homeless assistance from the state, he said cities need to show measurable progress.
“There is no distribution of funds unless there are strategies and plans to address the issues of encampments on the streets and sidewalks of our cities all across this state,” said Gov. Newsom.
The city is preparing to open its RESET center near the hall of justice, where law enforcement can bring drug users they’ve arrested to sober up and get fast tracked into treatment programs.
Denver, CO
Second victim dies over a week after shooting at Denver party celebrating Maduro’s capture
A second person who was shot at a party in Denver celebrating the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks ago has died.
Police are still searching for the person responsible for the shooting on Jan.3, which left two people dead and two others wounded. The Denver Police Department said a large crowd gathered in a parking lot near South Galena Street and East Hampden Avenue late that night, and an argument broke out. Someone fired into the crowd, striking 16-year-old William Rodriguez Salas and three adults.
The adults were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police said a private vehicle also attempted to drive Salas to a hospital, but he died near South Havana Street and East Iliff Avenue.
On Friday, the DPD announced that one of the adult victims has died.
Authorities are still working to discover who was responsible for the shooting. They asked anyone with information on the case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or through their website.
Seattle, WA
49er Faithful showing up all over Seattle ahead of NFC Divisional playoff game
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