Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students, have been given the go-ahead to continue conducting phone surveys of potential jurors, as per a recent ruling by Judge John Judge. Kohberger is facing four counts of murder in connection with the November 2022 stabbings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. A not guilty plea was entered on Kohberger’s behalf, and prosecutors have indicated their intention to pursue the death penalty if he is found guilty.The defense team employed a consultant to conduct phone surveys among potential jurors residing near the university, inquiring about their exposure to the case through various means such as sightings, conversations, or media consumption. The survey included questions related to Kohberger’s arrest, his vehicle, DNA evidence, and the knife sheath discovered near one of the victims. It also delved into the respondents’ viewing habits of true crime shows and other potential sources of information about the case.Upon learning about the survey earlier this year, prosecutors petitioned Judge John Judge to order the defense team to cease their activities, arguing that they violated a comprehensive gag order imposed by the judge. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson contended that certain questions could potentially sway the opinions of prospective jurors.In a ruling issued on Friday, Judge authorized the continuation of the surveys, provided that the questions adhere to the parameters of his gag order. He reasoned that the majority of the questions were based on information that had already been made public through court documents and therefore did not contravene the order. Judge further explained that while other questions inquired about hearsay or crime documentaries about the case that may not have been part of the public record at the outset of the surveys, these matters had since been discussed openly in court. Consequently, they now fall under the umbrella of public record and can be included in future surveys.The bodies of the four murdered University of Idaho students were discovered at an off-campus rental property on November 13, 2022. Bryan Kohberger, then a 29-year-old graduate student at Washington State University, was apprehended over six weeks later at his parents’ home in eastern Pennsylvania, where he had traveled for the winter break.
Defense Can Resume Phone Surveys in Idaho Student Murder Case
