Idaho
Bryan Kohberger’s lawyers can resume phone surveys of jury pool in case of 4 University of Idaho student deaths, judge rules
Defense attorneys for a man charged in the deaths of four University of Idaho students can resume phone surveys of potential jurors in the case, a judge has ruled.
Bryan Kohberger faces four murder charges in connection with the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. A judge has entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf, and prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Kohberger’s defense team hired a consultant to survey potential jurors living near the university about things they might have seen, heard or read about the case. The phone survey included questions about Kohberger’s arrest, the type of car he owns, DNA evidence and a knife sheath found near one of the bodies. It also included questions about whether the person being surveyed had watched true crime-style shows about the case or other things they might have heard.
When prosecutors became aware of the survey earlier this year, they asked 2nd District Judge John Judge to order the defense team to stop, arguing that the surveys violated a broad gag order the judge had issued in the case. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said some of the questions could prejudice people who could be called to serve as jurors when the case goes to trial.
In a ruling issued Friday, Judge said the surveys could continue as long as the questions do not violate his gag order. Most of the questions included information already publicly available through court documents, the judge wrote in the ruling, and so did not violate the order.
Other questions about rumors people might have heard or crime documentaries they might have seen about the case were not part of the public record when the surveys began, but they have since been debated and discussed in open court – which means they, too, are now part of the public record and can be included in future surveys, Judge said.
The bodies of the four University of Idaho students were found at a rental home near campus on Nov. 13, 2022. The home has since been demolished.
Police arrested Kohberger, 29 and then a graduate student at nearby Washington State University, more than six weeks later at his parents’ home in eastern Pennsylvania, where he had gone for winter break.
Last week, a court filing revealed that Kohberger’s lawyers plan to use cellphone tower data to show he was not at the location where the murders occurred. The documents allegedly providing an alibi for Kohberger stated he “was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022; as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars. He drove throughout the area south of Pullman, Washington, west of Moscow, Idaho including Wawawai Park.”
The document said a cell site location information expert will testify that cell tower data shows “Kohberger’s mobile device was south of Pullman, Washington and west of Moscow, Idaho on November 13, 2022; that Bryan Kohberger’s mobile device did not travel east on the Moscow-Pullman Highway in the early morning hours of November 13th, and thus could not be the vehicle captured on video along the Moscow-Pullman highway near Floyd’s Cannabis shop.”
A previous affidavit stated investigators had found cell tower data from that morning which showed Kohberger’s phone in Pullman around 2:47 a.m. the night of the murders, at which point it suddenly stopped connecting to the cell network, according to “48 Hours.” It was around this time surveillance video saw his car leave his apartment, “48 Hours” reported.
Jordan Freiman contributed to this report.
Remember that 250 years ago, nobody had ever heard of Idaho, and the name was mostly made up by an entrepreneur who impressed the federal government with an exaggeration about his knowledge of indigenous culture. But a large number of people who live in the state can trace ancestry to the colonial era, and I believe most Americans still have a love of country, even if some polls give an indication they may not quite know how to express it.
I Was at the Heart of the Bicentennial
Looking back 50 years, I was in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of July. Washington also didn’t exist in 1776. My memory is that its reputation as a hot, sticky swamp was well earned. I traveled there with a history club from school. On a rattling old yellow bus. The city was packed, and many of the people on the streets were foreign tourists. It told me that despite the anti-Americanism common on streets elsewhere around the world, we were still fascinating others.
We’re Still One Nation
1976 was a unifying experience and followed a very turbulent previous 15 years. Some people fear the 250th jubilee won’t bring us together. Look, those rent-a-mobs you see on TV and online are actually a small fraction of America. Picnics in the park don’t make news. Riots and tear gas get the attention of newsrooms. There are still far more picnics.
The recent Memorial Day commemorations were reverential. Independence Day 2026 is going to be a party. The media focus will be on President Trump and a festival far away. Meanwhile, across Idaho, grills will be fired up, and we’ll be proud to be Americans.
Here Are Rappers Who Are Still Supporting Donald Trump
It’s one of the most legendary sights anywhere in the State of Idaho! The Perrine Bridge, in Twin Falls, Idaho!
If you have ever driven through Twin Falls, odds are that you have crossed it and maybe didn’t know its significance. The bridge is 1,500 feet long and it offers amazing views for drivers and pedestrians alike. That said, you can hike anywhere along the canyon and the bridge itself, from afar, is a sight!
Over the years, it has become a popular destination for base jumping! There’s nothing illegal about it, even Visit Idaho brags about its appeal for the adventure enthusiasts!
One base jumper that has made a real name for himself online for jumping the Perrine Bridge has taken his viral hobby to a new level–this time, but having a ‘colorful creature’ join him!
Take a look at these amazing shots captured as this Idahoan did the craziest leap imaginable!
Flying Unicorn? Only in Idaho!
Take a look at the journey this inflatable unicorn and one brave Idahoan took over the weekend
Gallery Credit: Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
Do you think you could do something like this?
One can find dozens and dozens of videos of base jumping from the bridge online but this one might just be the most unique and the most Idaho of them all.
We suppose if base jumping is such a normal activity for this guy, there are only so many ways to ‘spice it up’. He certainly found one!
You can watch this brave bridge-jumper and his unicorn friend take a leap of faith, below! Video posted by Jonathan Cox and DZONE Skydiving!
Man Jumping Off Perrine Memorial Bridge
He has done it over 160 times.
Gainer Off The Perrine Bridge
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
I was diagnosed with a norovirus once. A dozen years ago. It wasn’t pleasant. Driving home from work one day, I had to pull over and get out of the car, where I was unwell along the roadside. Too much information? Consider it a warning. I had GI issues for a couple of days, and was advised to avoid other people for a week. It was a boring stretch and a waste of personal time off.
This is Sweeping the Country
A highly unusual strain of norovirus is afflicting some parts of the country, including California. Being that we’re at the start of the summer travel season, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes widespread in Idaho. You’ll know if you have it, and possibly 24 hours after exposure. My experience was that it came about fast, and it was furious.
Check out this link for more details. People don’t have much immunity to this particular strain. The usual advice is to wash your hands frequently. But we’re not always near a sink, and we share a lot of door handles. I was at a busy travel plaza a few days ago, and dozens of people were going in and out of the building in the few minutes I was there.
Disease of the Week
I can’t speak for every case, but what I had wasn’t pretty, but the worst was over in a couple of days. Then I self-quarantined for a few more days. It should sweep across the state quickly, and then be gone, and offer some immunity for the foreseeable future.
LIST: Norovirus Symptoms
If you begin to feel any or all of these symptoms, see your doctor to make sure youw on’t spread the bug to others!
Gallery Credit: CANVA
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