Idaho student murders: Gag order placed on attorneys for victims’ families
Rachel Schilke
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The widespread gag order in the homicides of four University of Idaho students has been extended to prohibit more people from speaking about the case, including victims’ families’ attorneys.
Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued an order on Wednesday stating that attorneys for “any interested party,” including “any attorney representing a witness, victim, or victim’s family,” are prohibited from making written or oral statements on the case.
Previously, Marshall’s order encompassed investigators, law enforcement personnel, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and agents of the prosecuting and defending attorneys.
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IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS: HOW POLICE IDENTIFIED AND TRACKED DOWN SUSPECT IN MONTHSLONG SEARCH
Moscow police put out a news release shortly after the gag order was released, stating they would “no longer be communicating with the public or the media regarding this case.”
Under the gag order, the parties named cannot share evidence; the character, credibility, reputation, or criminal record of involved parties; results, performance, or the refusal to participate in any tests or examinations; any opinion “as to the merits of the case or the claims or defense of a party,” and any information that could interfere with a fair trial.
At least 20 news organizations, including the Idaho Statesman, have retained an attorney to challenge the gag order.
Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the quadruple homicide, was arrested on Dec. 30 after he allegedly stabbed Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21, multiple times in the chest with a large knife on Nov. 13.
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Police spent more than a month tracking down Kohberger, court documents revealed. Kohberger drove a white Hyundai Elantra, which was the vehicle of interest seen near the victims’ home prior to the murders and during the time of death window. Officers located the suspect’s car at Washington State University.
Investigators conducted an intentional traffic stop while Kohberger and his father were driving through Indiana to Pennsylvania to gather footage of his face and hands.
After obtaining a search warrant for Kohberger’s cellphone records and apartment, investigators determined his cellphone data were consistent with the vehicle of interest’s path of travel. DNA evidence taken from Kohberger’s trash matched evidence found on a knife sheath that police believe is the sheath for the murder weapon.