Video shows Bryan Kohberger talking his way out of traffic ticket month before University of Idaho murders
MOSCOW, IDAHO: Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, avoided a traffic ticket for running a red light in Pullman, Washington, just a month before the November killings, newly released police body-cam footage showed. The 28-year-old is seen in the video being stopped by a Washington State University campus police officer and backing up to the defendant on October 14 of last year.
Kohberger was seated behind the wheel of his white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, the vehicle which played a vital role in tracking him down, with a Pennsylvania license plate. WSU Police Officer Isobel Luengas approached the driver-side window and explained the contravention before asking for his license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
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What happened in the video?
“I think you know why I stopped you. You ran the red light,” the police officer told Kohberger. The then WSU graduate student explained he was stuck in the middle of the intersection to which she replied, "I was behind you the whole time." "You're not supposed to enter the intersection at all for that reason because if the light turns red, then you're stuck in the intersection," the officer said. Kohberger, who was living in Pullman, asked the specifics of the law, detailing how he is from rural Pennsylvania, and said that he was not aware of the violation.
We received new body-cam video of Bryan Kohberger from when police stopped him about a month before the University of Idaho killings. Here is the start, including his discussion with the officer about why he went through a red light. #Idaho4 pic.twitter.com/nviJPDrfCM
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) May 4, 2023
The body-cam footage gave a new insight into Kohberger's apparent ignorant character in the weeks leading up to the deaths of the University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. Officer Isobel Luengas proceeded to read the Washington law regarding driving in an intersection and why she stopped Kohberger. "No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk or drive onto any railroad grade crossing unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection, crosswalk, or railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles, pedestrians, or railroad trains notwithstanding any traffic control signal indications to proceed."
Kohberger asked for more clarification
Kohberger then asked the officer for more details after he handed over his license. "Can you explain that to me a little bit further?" he asked. "So in Pennsylvania, when you're in an intersection you have to make the left. What would the appropriate thing for me to have done been?" The officer calmly replies, "You're not supposed to block an intersection like that in Washington." Officer Luengas said doing so is a ticketable offense. "So you're not supposed to proceed into the intersection until you can go, cause a lot of people to do what you just did," she added.
Kohberger claimed that he was confused
Kohberger claimed that he was confused as a vehicle opposite him turned right without its blinker on before he made the turn. "I was just slightly into the crosswalk," Kohberger continued. "Where I'm from in Pennsylvania, we actually don't have crosswalks," he claimed. "There's a little more leeway as well. It never even occurred to me that was actually something wrong." Kohberger apologized to the police officer, "I do apologize if I was asking you too many questions about the law." The officer then allowed him to get away with just a warning.
'He’s actually challenging the officer'
Twitter users also reacted to the video. One user tweeted, "This actually tells me a lot about who he is. He’s actually challenging the officer. Then sarcastically tells her that the best thing would be to back up. This insinuates a lack of respect of authority and an immense ego." Another tweeted, "Guess he made sure he gave them the right license. Not the one of one of the victims." One wrote, "What a tricky tack foul she called. He made a left turn, but didn't clear the intersection before the light turned red. (He took it well enough.)" while another tweeted, "He did not immediately try and correct this officer." "This was the universe trying to step in a month before the murders but he wasn’t listening", tweeted another user.
he did not immediately try and correct this officer 😮💨😮💨😮💨
— cinnamon on my teeth (@FataleThemme) May 4, 2023
What a tricky tack foul she called. He made a left turn, but didn't clear the intersection before the light turned red. (He took it well enough.)
— point.less.ness (@spambot3049) May 4, 2023
Guess he made sure he gave them the right license. Not the one of one of the victims
— Susan Chapman (@Sue2005225) May 5, 2023
This actually tells me a lot about who he is. He’s actually challenging the officer. Then sarcastically tells her that the best thing would be to back up. This insinuates a lack of respect of authority and an immense ego
— Tracy Walder (@tracy_walder) May 5, 2023
This was the universe trying to step in a month before the murders but he wasn’t listening
— 💲 (@TheGGekkoCo) May 5, 2023
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