Latest news with #gagorder
Fox News
7 days ago
- Fox News
Idaho judge urged to remove gag order on Kohberger case following quadruple murder plea
A group of media outlets large and small has asked an Idaho judge to lift the gag order surrounding the Bryan Kohberger case, now that he has pleaded guilty and there is no investigation to protect. At a change of plea hearing last week, prosecutors asked to have the gag, officially called a "non-dissemination order," remain in place until Kohberger's official sentencing on July 23. Kohberger's defense did not object, and Judge Steven Hippler granted the request. Then-Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall put the gag order in place days after Kohberger's arrest at his parents' house on Dec. 30, 2022. The stated aim was to protect Kohberger's right to a fair trial by limiting extrajudicial information available to the potential jury pool. Much of the case proceeded behind closed doors until Hippler became the third judge to preside over the case following a change of venue that moved it from Latah County to Ada County. Still, there are many questions that remain unanswered, and under the order, lawyers, investigators and other witnesses have been blocked from discussing details that haven't already surfaced in the courtroom. And the terms of the plea deal did not require Kohberger to explain his actions. Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson hasn't held a news briefing since before Kohberger's extradition to Idaho in January 2023. The defense never has. But now that Kohberger has admitted to the murders, there is no risk to his right to a fair trial, according to the motion. There won't be a trial at all. "The Nondissemination Order, and its infringement on the First Amendment rights of the media, is no longer justifiable and should be vacated immediately," the motion continues. The media coalition includes FOX News, The Associated Press, other major outlets and a number of smaller Idaho publications – including The Argonaut, the student paper at the University of Idaho, where the victims were killed. Kohberger last week admitted to four first-degree murders – killing University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. He told the court, with his parents looking on, that he entered their house, which has since been demolished, around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, with the intent to kill. The guilty plea will spare him from the potential death penalty. He is expected to receive four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus another 10 years. And he forfeited his right to appeal and to seek a sentence reduction.
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Girlfriend beaten, burned, filmed naked: Singaporean domestic abuser gets nearly eight years' jail, caning for vicious acts
SINGAPORE, June 6 — A 30-year-old man in Singapore was sentenced today to seven years, 11 months and 191 days in jail, with nine strokes of the cane, after pleading guilty to 10 charges related to violence against his girlfriend and other offences, The Straits Times reported. The charges included voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, wrongful confinement and drug offences. An additional 472 days were added to his sentence as the crimes were committed while he was under a remission order for earlier drug convictions. The man cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity. The abuse occurred at their shared Tampines flat between 2022 and early 2023. The couple have since separated. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan said the most serious assault took place in January 2023. The woman had wanted to leave the house to meet her godfather, but the man, suspicious and angry, dragged her into the bedroom and questioned if she was having an affair. 'He then hit her with a mop handle until she fell to the ground before making her strip naked and using her bra to tie her wrists together. He used her shorts to tie up her feet,' he reportedly told the court. He then pressed a saw to her thigh, injuring her, and took a video of her as she lay naked. He later struck her head and thighs with a wooden hammer. DPP Tan said she forgave him after the incident. In September 2022, the man tied her hands to the bed with a cable tie and poured gas lighter fluid on her after she received a call he suspected was from a male intern. 'He then held it with an open flame close to her chest, burning her,' said DPP Tan. Though the call wasn't from the intern, the woman admitted it was to avoid further harm. The man later released her and cooked for her. In June 2022, while in jail, the man also attacked a 62-year-old inmate who had asked for bread, punching and kneeing him until he fell unconscious. The inmate had to be resuscitated in hospital. DPP Tan said the fact that the man committed repeated offences within a domestic relationship was an aggravating factor: 'The victim said she had forgiven the accused, but that does not make what he did any less egregious.' Defence lawyer A. Revi Shanker said his client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the time and was 'possessive' and 'a bit jealous': 'The disorder contributed to his anger and the way he reacted, but what he did was not premeditated. He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions.' Under Singapore law, voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon can carry up to seven years' jail, fines and caning. Wrongful confinement can lead to up to three years' jail, fines, or both. *If you are experiencing domestic violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221 / 016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7).
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Judge in Bryan Kohberger trial wants to know who leaked information about Idaho student murders investigation
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. The judge said he would be open to appointing a special prosecutor to track down the leak, which likely violated a gag order that has been in place since 2023. Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at nearby 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 his behalf, and the trial is expected to start in August. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Hippler wrote in court documents that it appeared likely that someone associated with law enforcement or the prosecution team violated the court's gag order. The leak will potentially make it harder to seat an impartial jury, drawing out an already long and complicated court case and costing taxpayers more money, Hippler wrote. "Importantly such violations potentially frustrate the ability to ensure both sides receive a fair trial," he wrote. "Accordingly, the Court finds it is imperative to attempt to see that the source of such leak is identified and held to account." Hippler also ordered everyone who has worked directly or indirectly on the case to keep all records of any communications they have had with journalists or other people outside of law enforcement about Kohberger or the investigation into the killings. Hippler appeared to have discussed the matter with prosecutors and defense attorneys during a closed portion of Wednesday's pretrial hearing. But he also referenced the "Dateline" episode and the possible gag order violation during open portions of the hearing - at one point remarking that after the day the episode aired he decided to impanel additional alternate jurors for the trial. Digital data and documents obtained by "Dateline" tracked Kohberger's movements before and after the four students were killed as well as his browsing history. Later Hippler told the attorneys he expected them to file a formal request to have the matter investigated. Last week, Hippler ruled that Kohberger's immediate family members will be allowed to attend his upcoming trial, even if they might be called to testify. Hippler previously ruled that family members of the victims may attend the trial. Steve Goncalves, whose daughter was killed, attended a hearing with his wife in early April where attorneys debated what could be presented during Kohberger's trial. Steve Goncalves told "48 Hours" last year that "there's evidence to show that she awakened and tried to get out of that situation," saying "she was trapped" based on the way the bed was set up.
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.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Idaho judge wants an investigation of information leaks in Bryan Kohberger's quadruple-murder case
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. The judge said he would be open to appointing a special prosecutor to track down the leak, which likely violated a gag order that has been in place since 2023. Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at nearby 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 his behalf, and the trial is expected to start in August. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Hippler wrote in court documents that it appeared likely that someone associated with law enforcement or the prosecution team violated the court's gag order. The leak will potentially make it harder to seat an impartial jury, drawing out an already long and complicated court case and costing taxpayers more money, Hippler wrote. 'Importantly such violations potentially frustrate the ability to ensure both sides receive a fair trial,' he wrote. 'Accordingly, the Court finds it is imperative to attempt to see that the source of such leak is identified and held to account.' Hippler also ordered everyone who has worked directly or indirectly on the case to keep all records of any communications they have had with journalists or other people outside of law enforcement about Kohberger or the investigation into the killings. Hippler appeared to have discussed the matter with prosecutors and defense attorneys during a closed portion of Wednesday's pretrial hearing. But he also referenced the Dateline episode and the possible gag order violation during open portions of the hearing — at one point remarking that after the day the episode aired he decided to impanel additional alternate jurors for the trial. Later he told the attorneys he expected them to file a formal request to have the matter investigated.
