The brutal murders of four University of Idaho college students — Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20 — on November 13, 2022, captivated the nation. It seemed unthinkable that someone could stab these promising young people with their whole lives ahead of them.
On December 30, 2023, Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the stabbings. A preliminary trial was set for June, but in a surprise move the prosecution impaneled a grand jury. This jury indicted Kohberger.
There has been limited media coverage about the case since January 2023. This is because a gag order was issued by Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall. Many in the press are working to challenge this.
Despite this order, the Idaho Supreme Court has confirmed the grand jury’s decision to indict via a spokesperson. The prosecution and Kohberger’s defense team have not yet publicly commented. Perhaps they are afraid to do so because of the gag order.
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This indictment allows the prosecution to skip a weeklong preliminary hearing that would have opened up their witnesses to cross-examination. On Monday, May 22, an arraignment hearing is scheduled to take place. As part of those proceedings, Kohberger will enter a plea. The alleged motive is still unknown to the public at this time, which could be a tactic by the prosecution to keep things close to the chest.
