MOSCOW, IDAHO: The families of two University of Idaho students, Kayle Goncalves and Xana Kernodle, who were stabbed to death in November 2022 requested that suspect Bryan Kohberger’s trial be held on-camera.
Kohberger, a suspect in the killings of Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in Idaho, is back in court on Wednesday, September 13.
The judge will hear arguments on prohibiting cameras from being used during the public trial.
Defense and prosecution do not want cameras during Bryan Kohberger trial
As the case of the Idaho murders continues to garner attention, attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense have moved to restrict cameras.
Kohberger, a former PhD candidate in criminology, was charged earlier in 2023 with killing the four students at their off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022.
Kohberger’s defence attorneys requested Latah County District Judge John Judge to prohibit cameras from the courtroom in August, arguing that media coverage infringed on his constitutional rights.
Bill Thompson, the prosecutor for Latah County, expressed his own worries in response to the motion last week and asked the judge to ban cameras “at a minimum” during the “sensitive testimony of a number of young and vulnerable witnesses,” per The Independent.
The trial for Kohberger was scheduled to begin on October 3 but was reportedly postponed indefinitely after he forfeited his right to a speedy trial.
Why do Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle’s families want the trial to be viewed publicly?
Both the Kohberger defense and prosecution filed motions to have cameras removed from the courtroom. I’ll be in court tomorrow in ID when a judge will hear arguments. Goncalves and Kernodle families sent me this statement – they say it is important the trial be viewed publicly. pic.twitter.com/jS4OCfJ2nL
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) September 12, 2023
Goncalves and Kernodle’s familes released a statement in which they expressed their support for allowing cameras to cover Kohberger’s trial.
The families claimed they wanted the court to permit cameras in the courtroom in order to establish responsibility for all parties and to remove the “veil of secrecy” they feel surrounds the case, per KREM
Brian Entin from News Nation shared the statement on X. He wrote, “It is vitally important that this trial be open to the public to view and watch.”
He further stated, “There is an enormous amount of media coverage about this case (some good, some bad) and with that comes the responsibility of the Court to ensure a fair trial.”
The family stated, “The thing that is most overlooked in reviewing the motions filed by the State (who took no position in it’s original motion dated June 6, 2023-stating it relied on the discretion of the Court and now is taking a different position) and the Defense is faith in the justice system.”
“This case is surrounded by secrecy. Everything is either sealed or redacted. The family has not received any discovery on this case or any information about the facts of the case from the State,” they further said.
They continued, “No one knows anything about the case which leads to speculation. That speculation is fueled by the secrecy surrounding everything that is filed and every hearing that is closed off to the media and the public.”
“Only through independent investigation has the Family been able to get some information,” they added.
“So it is vitally important that the trial be viewed publicly! It is important to the victims family, relatives, community members and the public that this veil of secrecy be lifted at trial,” the two students’ families said.
“This not only ensures accountability for all the parties involved but also helps the public maintain it’s faith in the justice system!” they concluded.
Social media reacts to Goncalves and Kernodle families’ statement
Social media users reacted to Goncalves and Kernodle’s families’ statement about wanting the Idaho murder suspect’s hearing to be made public.
A user asked, “Why is the court protecting BK!?!?”
Another said, “Honestly I think the victims families should get to decide! No one is living this nightmare but them so if they want it then allow it.”
“You have a gag order in place so I don’t see the big deal. Him being the main focus should happen. Why are they protecting HIM after what HE DID?”
A user recalled Lori Vallow’s case and wondered, “If it turns out the cameras won’t be allowed, maybe they’ll do the same thing as the Lori Vallow case.”
