Latest news with #StevenHippler
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger ask for trial delay, citing in part publicity around the case
Attorneys for a man accused of killing four University of Idaho students have asked that his trial be delayed, citing in part a recent NBC 'Dateline' special that they called prejudicial toward Bryan Kohberger and a need for additional time to prepare his defense. The filing dated Tuesday said moving forward with an August trial would infringe upon Kohberger's constitutional rights. It said attorneys need more time to review discovery, complete investigations and prepare for trial. There was no immediate ruling on the request, which comes days after the judge overseeing the case, Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler, said he wanted to identify anyone who may have violated a gag order by leaking information from the investigation to news organizations or anyone else not directly involved with the case. Hippler last week ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys to provide a list of everyone who might have had access to the previously unreported information about Kohberger's internet search history and other details that were featured in the 'Dateline' episode that aired May 9. Kohberger's attorneys raised concerns about the special and an upcoming book on the case set for release in mid-July. Their filing states the blurb for the book 'suggests that the apparent Dateline leak was not the only violation of this Court's non-dissemination order.' 'A continuance is necessary to fully investigate the leaks and to mitigate the prejudicial effects of such inflammatory pretrial publicity occurring so close to the current trial date,' the filing said. Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, is charged in the stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four were found dead in a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. A not-guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Washington Post
15-05-2025
- Washington Post
Idaho judge wants an investigation of information leaks in Bryan Kohberger's quadruple-murder case
BOISE, Idaho — The judge overseeing Bryan Kohberger's upcoming quadruple-murder trial says he wants to identify anyone who may have violated a gag order by leaking information from the investigation to news organizations or anyone else not directly involved with the case. Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys on Wednesday to give him a list of everyone — including staffers, law enforcement officers and defense consultants — who might have had access to the previously unreported information about Kohberger's internet search history and other details that were featured in an NBC 'Dateline' episode that aired May 9.
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Idaho judge wants an investigation of information leaks in Bryan Kohberger's quadruple-murder case
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The judge overseeing Bryan Kohberger's upcoming quadruple-murder trial says he wants to identify anyone who may have violated a gag order by leaking information from the investigation to news organizations or anyone else not directly involved with the case. Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys on Wednesday to give him a list of everyone — including staffers, law enforcement officers and defense consultants — who might have had access to the previously unreported information about Kohberger's internet search history and other details that were featured in an NBC 'Dateline' episode that aired May 9.
Toronto Star
07-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Judge says Bryan Kohberger's family can attend upcoming trial in University of Idaho killings
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger's immediate family members may attend his upcoming quadruple-murder trial in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, even if they might be called to testify, a judge ruled in an order made public Thursday. Witnesses in criminal cases are sometimes excluded from attending trials to prevent them from shaping their testimony in response to what other witnesses have said or what evidence has been presented. But Judge Steven Hippler wrote that Kohberger's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial also entitles him to have his parents and siblings present if they want to attend.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bryan Kohberger Defense Argues Autism Diagnosis Should Take Death Penalty Off the Table
Judge Steven Hippler, overseeing the case in which Bryan Kohberger is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students, has issued a warning to defense attorneys and prosecutors on the case against the excessive filing of sealed documents. 'This runs counter to the public's First Amendment rights to know what is going on in its courts,' Hippler said, per Associated Press. One recently unsealed document, for example, revealed Kohberger's request to remove the death penalty as an option during potential sentencing, citing his autism diagnosis as the reason. 'Mr. Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death,' the unsealed document, originally filed on Feb. 24, reads. 'In making this motion, Mr. Kohberger relies on his right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.' More from Rolling Stone New York State Investigators Say Trans Man's Death Was Not a Hate Crime Tech Consultant Found Guilty in Murder of Cash App Founder Bob Lee 'Among Us': Everything to Know About the Kids' Game Luigi Mangione Played in 2020 The 28-page document notes that 'amongst the entire class of murderers, the death penalty must be reserved for 'the worst of the worst,'' and Kohberger should therefore be exempt from consideration for such a punishment because he possesses a 'particular characteristic' that 'renders him less culpable, negates the retributive and deterrent aims of capital punishment, or creates a risk of an erroneous death sentence.' The defense argues that 'executing people with ASD does not meaningfully satisfy the penological aims of retribution or deterrence. Accordingly, sentencing people with ASD to death violates the Eighth Amendment.' It also cites a 'comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation' that found Kohberger to 'exhibit all the core diagnostic features of ASD currently, with significant impact on his daily life,' including compulsions, diminished social understanding, and language deficits. The filing includes expressed concern about how a jury will perceive Kohberger because of this. Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 as the sole suspect in the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. The four University of Idaho students were killed in their off-campus apartment on Nov. 13, 2022. Kohberger was a graduate student at Washington State University at the time of the murders and was linked to the crime through DNA found on a knife sheath. In May 2023, he was indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder. The judge entered not guilty pleas on Kohberger's behalf after he chose to 'stand silent' rather than enter a plea. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
