'No evidence killer went over state lines': Ex-special agent explains why FBI can't take over Idaho probe
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MOSCOW, IDAHO: A former FBI agent revealed that federal agencies can't take control of the Idaho murder probe because they don't have jurisdiction over it. During a recent interview with Fox News, former FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam said, "The FBI does not necessarily have jurisdiction in this case. That is the state case. And there's no federal nexus to this case at this point. There's no evidence that a killer went over state lines. There's no evidence that any abduction or anything with children was involved. You know, something that would rise to the level of the FBI taking over the case.”
Despite popular belief, the FBI can't just walk in and take over any state or local inquiry, according to Gilliam. He told Fox News that the FBI might take over the case by obtaining approval from the Department of Justice if there was a serial killer and the state or local law enforcement agency were unable to handle it. The FBI is present in Moscow, Idaho as part of the homicide investigation, but according to Gilliam, they aren't going too far. "When the FBI is following the lead of a local police department, and they're invited, they can't overstep their boundaries. They can say this and they can say that. But the reality is the FBI does not have jurisdiction," he added.
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Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were fatally stabbed on November 13 between 3 and 4 am as they slept in their rented house on King Road, close to the university. Moscow PD is yet to identify a suspect, and demands for an FBI takeover are growing.
Earlier, police stated that the victims were stabbed several times with a "fixed-blade knife." The four victims were reportedly in a number of locations throughout Moscow before returning to the King Road house at about 1.56 am on the fateful night, according to police. It was also revealed that there were 60 FBI employees "in Moscow & located throughout the United States," as well as two detectives with the agency's behavioral analysis branch, associated with the investigation. Cops have been looking for a white 2011-2013 Hyundai that was spotted near the crime site earlier on November 13. Moscow police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call them at (208) 883-7054 or send an email to tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.