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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.
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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)
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“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.
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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.
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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Silver Alert was activated Thursday by the California Highway Patrol after an 85-year-old man was reported missing from South San Francisco.
Zosimo Carmen is described by authorities as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 155 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Carmen was last seen around 2 a.m. on Thursday in the area of James Court and Livingston Place in South San Francisco. He was wearing a brown flannel shirt and blue sweatpants.
The Silver Alert was activated for San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
Anyone who sees Carmen is asked to call 911.
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.
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The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting from FOX 13 Seattle reporter Taylor Winkel.
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