An Idaho judge ordered the lift of the extensive gag order placed in the Bryan Kohberger quadruple murder case Thursday.
Judge Steven Hippler directed the lift, according to the court order, allowing media and families of the victims access to key case details the police and prosecution were previously prevented from sharing.
The gag order, officially a non-dissemination order, was originally requested by Kohberger’s defense shortly after his arrest in late December 2022.
“At this point, I just don’t think I can justify the continuation of the non-dissemination order…the rights of the public to information in this case is paramount,” Hippler said in a hearing Thursday.
The order was formally issued on Jan. 3, 2023, according to the State of Idaho’s case of interest webpage. It prevented those closest to the case, such as attorneys, law enforcement and others, from sharing information beyond publicly accessible documents filed by the court with the media.
Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued the initial order to preserve the integrity of a future trial by jury from possible media influence.
In January 2023, the initial order was amended, broadening the scope of its protections to extend to witness and victim attorneys, intending to protect Kohberger’s constitutional right to a fair trial, according to the court order.
In June 2023, a court ordered refinement of the gag order in response to attorney requests, stipulating with clearer lines what information was permitted to be shared.
In an email sent on June 30, the prosecution informed the victims’ families of Kohberger’s decision to accept a plea bargain that would see him plead guilty to avoid the possibility of the death penalty, which the prosecution was previously seeking.
On July 2, Kohberger formally pleaded guilty to all charges in the case: four counts of first-degree murder and a single count of felony burglary. The plea agreement carries the penalty of four consecutive life sentences and 10 years for the burglary.
As a stipulation of the plea bargain, Kohberger waived his right to appeal in the case.
Due to Kohberger’s guilty plea, Hippler officially lifted the refined order from June 2023, citing the initial reasoning behind the order was to ensure a right to a free trial and an impartial jury, which is no longer applicable.
During Thursday’s hearing, Hippler stated the lifting of the gag order would not affect court-sealed documents, which will stay sealed for the time being, despite media protest.
Hippler denied the media’s petition to unseal all documents in the case, stating he felt the request was premature.
