Judge says Bryan Kohberger's family can attend upcoming trial in University of Idaho killings
Jury selection for Bryan Kohberger trial begins July 30
After more than two years of hearings and motions after motions, the trial for Bryan Kohberger is expected to start this summer.
BOISE, Idaho - Bryan Kohberger's immediate family members may attend his upcoming quadruple-murder trial in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, even if they might be called to testify, a judge ruled in an order made public Thursday.
Witnesses in criminal cases are sometimes excluded from attending trials to prevent them from shaping their testimony in response to what other witnesses have said or what evidence has been presented. But Judge Steven Hippler wrote that Kohberger's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial also entitles him to have his parents and siblings present if they want to attend.
"Courts recognize that having defendant's family members present at trial advances the values served by the right to public trial, i.e., ensuring fair proceedings; reminding the prosecutor and judge of their grave responsibilities; discouraging perjury; and encouraging witnesses to come forward," Hippler wrote.
MOSCOW, IDAHO - OCTOBER 26: Bryan Koberger listens during a hearing to overturn his grand jury indictment on October 26, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student, was indicted earlier this year in the November 2022 killings
Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at nearby Washington State University, is charged in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022.
Prosecutors have said they intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted at his trial, which is set to begin in August.
Hippler said the court must balance Kohberger's right to a public trial with the state's interest in obtaining forthright testimony from witnesses. But, he added, there is little risk of Kohberger's family members shaping what they might say from the witness stand in response to what they observe at the trial: The scope of their proposed testimony is narrow, and they have previously given recorded interviews that will help guard against them altering what they say.
Hippler previously ruled that family members of the victims may attend the trial.
Idaho judge slams Bryan Kohberger's ‘hollow’ attempt to dodge death penalty
Idaho quadruple murder suspect's claims about overwhelming evidence preparation 'ring hollow,' judge rules.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Associated Press.
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