Megan Marshall: Judge bans officials from releasing info about Idaho suspect Bryan Kohberger to public
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: A gag order has been issued by a judge into the case against Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in the early hours of November 13. Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall sent the mandate on Tuesday evening, January 3, 2023, while prohibiting investigators as well as lawyers from both sides from speaking publicly about the ongoing case.
The order came weeks after the 28-year-old suspect allegedly killed Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in their sleep. In a statement, Moscow police shared, “On January 3, 2023, Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued a nondissemination order in regard to the murder case against Bryan C Kohberger. The order prohibits any communication by investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and agents of the prosecuting attorney or defense attorney concerning this case.”
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The directive from the judge also bans the officials from sharing “evidence in the case, a potential confession, the possibility of a plea deal, opinions regarding the merits of the case or the defense, and the ‘character, credibility or criminal record of a party,’” Fox News reported.
Bryan Kohberger’s arrest and Hyundai Elantra
On December 30, 2021, the PhD student was arrested from his parents’ home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. As per reports, he went to his hometown in a Hyundai Elantra with his father from Pullman, Washington. On their way home in mid-December, the father-son duo was also reportedly stopped by cops for allegedly speeding and tailgating, respectively. However, no action was taken against them.
Earlier, investigators had asked for people’s help in finding a 2011 to 2013 White Hyundai Elantra, which was seen outside the off-campus house where the stabbings took place in November 2021. However, now it has been discovered that Kohnerger's car is a 2015 model.
People’s reaction to the judge's order
NewsNation’s Brian Entin posted about the mandate on Twitter as he wrote, “I don’t believe this will impact the probable cause affidavit becoming public. That will be a public document. This order is more about people connected to the case talking about it outside of court,” attracting a lot of comments from several users.
I don’t believe this will impact the probable cause affidavit becoming public. That will be a public document. This order is more about people connected to the case talking about it outside of court.
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) January 4, 2023
One of them shared, “Great! A gag order. 😤 Guess they don’t need the public’s help anymore with tips like they said they did. Even if they did—we won’t know now since everyone has been gagged!!” Another user tweeted, “Well guess LE does not need anything else from public. If they can not talk about it then we cannot call in info cause they would have to talk about it. Judge screwed them.”
Great! A gag order. 😤 Guess they don’t need the public’s help anymore with tips like they said they did. Even if they did—we won’t know now since everyone has been gagged!!
— Danielle (@judicialmermaid) January 4, 2023
Well guess LE does not need anything else from public. If they can not talk about it then we cannot call in info cause they would have to talk about it. Judge screwed them.
— @gbatson (@gbatson) January 4, 2023
Another user wrote, “Concerns over being able to seat a jury. They will need people for a jury and if things are leaked that are determined inadmissible, then it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get a fair and impartial jury. Frustrating for public but the right move.”
One user added, “Holy crap. Why? The public deserves to know what’s going on. Does this mean that there won’t be cameras in the quart room? Does this mean that we won’t get access to any documents?”
Concerns over being able to seat a jury. They will need people for a jury and if things are leaked that are determined inadmissible, then it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get a fair and impartial jury. Frustrating for public but the right move.
— Jeff Steelflex (@jeff__steelflex) January 4, 2023
Holy crap. Why? The public deserves to know what’s going on. Does this mean that there won’t be cameras in the quart room? Does this mean that we won’t get access to any documents?
— LuckyLoon11 (@LuckyLoon11) January 4, 2023
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.