Judge loosens gag order in Bryan Kohberger Idaho murder case

The judge presiding over the gruesome University of Idaho murder case has ruled to loosen a tight gag order that prohibited almost anyone from speaking about the criminal proceedings.

Under the new gag order, prosecution and defense attorneys can speak on some matters related to the case against Bryan Kohberger but still must follow strict guidelines.

The families of the four victims can also speak to the media but their attorneys cannot, WNEP reported.

Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were found dead on Nov. 13, at a rental home across the street from the Moscow, Idaho campus, having been killed in their sleep.

The ruling on the revised gag order, formally called a nondissemination order, came Friday.

More than two dozen news organizations had asked the Idaho Supreme Court earlier this year to reject the gag order, arguing it violates the First Amendment rights of a free press.

Second District Judge John Judge found the original gag order, which also barred law enforcement from speaking to the press, “arguably overbroad and vague in some areas.”

“We are pleased that the Court significantly narrowed the nondissemination order, a clear recognition that the initial order was overbroad,” said Wendy Olson, the attorney representing the group of media organizations.

“We all agree that a defendant’s Sixth Amendment rights are important but that in preserving those rights, neither the parties nor the courts can completely cast aside the First Amendment rights of the press,” Olson continued. “The press in cases like this one provide important transparency regarding how the criminal justice system works.”

Kohberger, 28, has pleaded not guilty in the case, which also includes four charges of felony burglary.

DNA from a cheek swab ties the accused to the knife sheath left at the scene of the quadruple slayings, according to a new court filing, The Post reported this week.

His trial is set for Oct. 2.

with Post wires