Bryan Kohberger prosecutors will let victims' families speak, no lay witnesses for sentencing if convicted
The prosecuting attorney in the case of Bryan Kohberger, accused of murdering four University of Idaho students, notified the court in a recent filing that the state does not intend to call lay witnesses during the penalty phase of the trial, if he is convicted.
The prosecution wrote in the filing obtained by Fox News Digital that it "hereby provides notice that the State does not intend to call any lay witnesses during the penalty phase."
The document was filed late last week in the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District in the State of Idaho.
Judge Rules Death Penalty To Remain As Possible Punishment Amid Bryan Kohberger Autism Diagnosis
"Rather, the State intends to rely on testimony and evidence admitted during the guilt phase," the filing says.
The state does intend to allow victim impact statements from immediate family members of the victims who are present for the potential sentencing hearing.
Read On The Fox News App
Read the court filing:
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four students at the University of Idaho, including Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Ethan Chapin, 20. He is also charged with one count of felony burglary.
The four students were killed in a home attack on Nov. 13, 2022, near the university's campus.
Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X
The state will pursue the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.
His defense attorney, Anne Taylor, recently found herself the object of Judge Steven Hippler's scorn when she presented a motion to take the death penalty off the table in the case.
SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter
She argued that the prosecution's discovery was so sloppy that Kohberger could not possibly review the evidence against him before his trial is scheduled to begin in August.
GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub
What Went Bryan Kohberger's Way – And What Didn't – At Evidence Motions Hearing
"[Kohberger] has been receiving discovery in the same manner for over two years," Hippler wrote. "[Kohberger] has not sought additional resources…to hire additional staff to review discovery or obtain litigation document control software to help organize and sort the evidence. His lead counsel insisted that she be allowed to take on a second high-profile capital case despite the voluminous discovery in this case."
Hippler also added that Taylor, "indicated that her practice is to personally review all the discovery herself, rather than rely on associates and staff to review materials to cut through the less relevant information and point to what materials need review by lead counsel."
Fox News Digital reached out to Taylor and to Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson's office.
Fox News' Adam Sabes contributed to this report. Original article source: Bryan Kohberger prosecutors will let victims' families speak, no lay witnesses for sentencing if convicted
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Luigi Mangione's request, Karen Read's defense, Bryan Kohberger's witnesses
ATTENTION DEFICIT: Karen Read denies noticing confrontation between boyfriend and ATF agent hours before his death DIGGING UP THE PAST: Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's Pennsylvania youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial CAUSE OF DEATHS: Washington sheriff shares new photo of suspected killer dad amid manhunt in daughters' triple murder FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X 'THAT STOOD OUT': Witness in Karen Read trial describes 'strange' exchange between Jennifer McCabe and Read before John O'Keefe's death APPEARANCE GAME: Luigi Mangione's team asks court to remove 'shackles,' bulletproof vest on UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect SILENT STAND: Karen Read's silence in murder trial raises stakes for defense SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER KEY DENIAL: Kelly Dever denies seeing key figures near Karen Read's vehicle in 'disaster' testimony: expert TEXT FALLOUT: Lead detective's text messages cast shadow over Karen Read murder trial COMING CLEAN: Man who served 36 years for wife's murder forgives confessed killer in rare reconciliation LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB JUSTICE BURIED: Indiana coroner says police 'dropped the ball' in Fox Hollow Farm serial killer case COSTLY BATTLE: Karen Read sells home and taps retirement fund to pay mounting legal bills in second murder trial CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP FACE THE FIRE: Mother of slain Boston police officer sends wordless message to Karen Read in courtroom showdown
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oregon middle school hosts 'Drag Day' encouraging students to cross-dress during Pride Week
An Oregon middle school encouraged students to dress up as "drag queens" and their favorite "queer hero" this week in celebration of Pride Month, but one parent said families weren't notified ahead of time. At the Arts & Technology Academy in the Eugene School District 4J, students celebrated "Pride Spirit Week" with a different theme each day intended to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, according to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital. On Monday, students were encouraged to "wear as many colors as they could" for "Rainbow-Out" day. On Tuesday, they were told to wear all black "in remembrance of lost members of the LGBTQIA+ community." Wednesday was "Drag Day" where students were told to "dress like a drag queen/king/monarch or dress up as a different gender." Washington School Board Fights 'Radical' State Education Chief Defying Trump's Transgender Athlete Ban Thursday was "Queer Hero Day" where students picked their favorite "queer hero," such as Freddie Mercury or Chappell Roan. Read On The Fox News App The week's events concluded with "Pride Flag Friday," where students were told to "dress up as the pride flag of your choice." A parent who spoke to Fox News Digital said that the school principal sent out a notice to parents about the Pride Spirit Week on Monday afternoon, about 15 minutes after students were let out for the day. The email also said that the weekly activities would coincide with learning in the classroom about "the history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement." The parent was surprised to learn of the activities after the week had already kicked off and wondered why the school hadn't shared with families in advance. According to Oregon state law, schools are required to notify parents and guardians ahead of instruction on human sexuality. Conservative School Board In Blue State Asking Trump Admin To Intervene On Gender Policy When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the Eugene School District 4J confirmed that parents were notified Monday afternoon about the week's activities. Most of the lessons and activities were not considered part of formal instruction on human sexuality, the district said, but parents should've been notified earlier. The district vowed to "work more closely with schools around notice for thematic and spirit weeks," saying it is their expectation that schools communicate with families about special events weeks in advance and comply with Oregon law in allowing families the opportunity to review human sexuality curriculum and opt out in advance. The activities and lessons aligned with the Oregon Department of Education's LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan, the district added. LGBTQ2SIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/non-binary, Queer/Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex and Asexual, with the plus sign referring to other identities. The success plan "ensures students learn about the histories and contributions of historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals," the district said. Target Swaps Out Rainbow Flags For Stars And Stripes As Shoppers Notice Shift During Pride Month The school's Pride Spirit Week was meant to show support for LGBTQ+ students and their families and cultivate an inclusive climate. "We remain deeply committed to fostering inclusive, safe learning spaces—-and doing so in partnership with families. That means ensuring our communication is clear, our curriculum is aligned, and our students feel like they belong," the district said. The Oregon school district is one of several that have taken a stand against President Donald Trump's actions to root out gender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools. Two days after Trump issued an executive order declaring recognition of "two sexes, male and female," the Eugene 4J school board adopted a resolution on Jan. 22 "affirming gender identity, expression and equity for transgender and gender-expansive students and staff." The resolution said the district would stand in support of "LGBTQ2SIA+" people and rejected "any attempt to diminish, politicize or marginalize these identities." It was also the first public K-12 school district to join a federal lawsuit in February challenging Department of Education guidelines on racial discrimination. The Department of Education notified educators in February that they must stop using racial preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion and other practices, or risk losing federal funding. The lawsuit, filed by teachers' union the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, argues that the Department of Education was threatening educators' constitutional right to free speech and due process with the order. "Our equity programs are part of our board and district goals to make sure our students have fair access to achievement and that our schools are effective in reaching all students, including our most vulnerable," Eugene 4J School Board Chair Jenny Jonak said in a press release announcing the lawsuit. In April, a federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the Department of Education from cutting funding or prosecuting school districts while the policy is being article source: Oregon middle school hosts 'Drag Day' encouraging students to cross-dress during Pride Week
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Billy Bush says Diddy's alleged balcony incident echoes 'sick' behavior in hit TV show
Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial heard testimony this week about Cassie Ventura's friend allegedly being dangled off a balcony at the hands of the rapper. The explosive testimony echoed similarities between Diddy and one of television's greatest hits, "The Sopranos," according to Billy Bush. The "Hot Mics with Billy Bush" podcast host exclusively told Fox News Digital that Diddy's violent history may have been on display, but that doesn't necessarily equate to a guilty verdict. Diddy's Defense Attorney Challenges Government's Narrative In High-stakes Federal Trial Cassie Ventura's friend, Bryana "Bana" Bongolan, testified this week that Diddy held her over the edge of a 17-story balcony in 2016. While on the stand Wednesday, Bongolan confirmed she spoke about the incident during various government meetings. Bongolan said Diddy was yelling at her loudly, "You know what the f--- you did." She testified that to this day she doesn't know what the rapper was referring to. Read On The Fox News App "Her allegations are that he hung her over a balcony, which is like, what are you watching too much 'Sopranos' here?" Bush said. "Like, this is such mafia sick s--t. It's, I can't believe it, but it reminds me of like when Michael Jackson had "Blanket" over the balcony in some Rome or Paris hotel (sic). And then Suge Knight hung Vanilla Ice over the balcony." In a 1999 episode of "Behind the Music," Vanilla Ice clarified that the balcony allegations against Suge Knight were unfounded. "He didn't hang me off from any balcony," the rapper said. "The story's been kind of blown out of proportion, and I want to clarify that Suge and I have no bad feelings towards each other." 50 Cent Warns Trump About Diddy After President Is Asked If He'd Consider Pardon "It's the ultimate, like, it's the ultimate gangster move," Bush added of Bongolan's allegations against Diddy. "Who makes that up? I mean, he clearly did, and it's sick. So I think it was helpful as far as painting him as extremely violent." Bush continued, "I still don't know if Diddy is a sealed, done deal. He's not arguing that he's a domestic violence perpetrator and general bad dude." Allegations about the incident were detailed in a November 2024 lawsuit Bongolan filed against Diddy where she requested $10 million in damages. Bongolan filed the lawsuit to "seek justice for what happened to me," she told the court. She said her lawyer wrote the complaint and that the words were not the same as what she had testified to. Her recollection of the events that night were marred, according to Diddy's lawyers. Nicole Westmoreland, a Diddy defense attorney, asked Bongolan several questions about Cassie's 29th birthday. Bongolan replied, "I don't remember" to most of the questions, which included if she was on drugs. She later told Westmoreland that she couldn't remember telling the government if the incident happened at a party or if they were just hanging out. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News "Drug use is not great for memory, and we're dealing with a marginalized character here," Bush said. "At the end of the day, I don't think the drug use thing is a big shocker to anyone on the jury … and you know, Diddy definitely partied with the drugs." WATCH: BILLY BUSH LIKENS DIDDY ALLEGATIONS TO MAFIA TACTICS He added, "I don't think that is going to come into account at all. It's just the actions of what happened. They don't excuse his actions. And I don't think that they discount her claims either. I really don't." In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Diddy was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. Click Here To Get The Entertainment Newsletter He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. The trial is expected to wrap by July 4. During the opening statements of Diddy's trial, defense attorney Teny Geragos asked the jury to consider the federal charges, not the choices of an at-times violent man. "Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case," Geragos told the court. "This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money. This case is about voluntary adult choices made by capable adults and consensual relationships. This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case, a prostitution case and a sex trafficking case. It will not work." Geragos told the jury that they would hear the "basics" through the lens of various witnesses and evidence. Most importantly, though, jurors would get the opportunity to "finally" hear the facts about the case. "I say that because this case is not about what you've heard on the news, read in the news or have seen on social media for the past year and a half," Geragos said. "This case is not about what civil attorneys looking for a payday are trying to make my client out to be. There has been a tremendous amount of noise around this case for the past year, and it is time to cancel that noise and hear and see the evidence that will be presented in this courtroom." She noted that Diddy "has a bad temper" and at times gets "so angry or so jealous that he is out of control," but she emphasized that the "Victory" rapper was not charged with "being mean." "He is not charged with being a jerk. He's charged with running a racketeering enterprise," Geragos told the jury. "And though there was violence that you are going to hear about, you already have, that violence is not part of any RICO. That violence is not connected to sex trafficking and that violence is not prostitution."Original article source: Billy Bush says Diddy's alleged balcony incident echoes 'sick' behavior in hit TV show
