BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A judge overseeing the case against Bryan Kohberger, charged with killing four University of Idaho students last fall, heard arguments Friday over a gag order barring attorneys and other parties from speaking with news reporters.
The first motion was filed by Shanon Gray, representing the family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, and was held at 11:30 am.
Chris Mitchell from KLEW reports that Gray took to the podium and cited other Idaho cases where attorneys for victims' families have been able to speak to the media.
Gray argues the prosecution has not interviewed the Goncalves family and questions whether they are potential witnesses. Judge John Judge says the state has determined that Gray's clients are potential witnesses. Gray responds, "We have to define that, what means involvement in this case."
Gray continued, "If you're taking my voice away, you're taking the voice away from everything." Gray says there has been very little communication from the prosecution.
Judge says, "I have a job of protecting and preserving the first amendment and the sixth amendment." Gray adds the Goncalves family and the public lack intimate knowledge of the case.
The prosecution said an attorney appearing on TV makes it harder for a potential juror to ignore.
Judge did not make a decision on Friday. The court was adjourned, and the order will stay as is for now.
In the afternoon, the judge heard arguments from an attorney representing 30 media organizations, Wendy Olson, as well as defense and prosecuting attorneys on repealing and amending the current gag order and allowing cameras in the courtroom for the trial.
According to reports from the Spokesman-Review, the defense argued they don't want close-ups of Kohberger or hyper analysis of his body language. According to reports from KHQ, Olson argued above all else, having cameras in the courtroom could be something that helps educate the public about how the justice system works.
Judge did not issue a decision on Friday.
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