Idaho College Murders: Judge Rules on Cameras in Courtroom; Urges, ‘Have Some Dignity’

The presiding judge on the case involving Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho college murders, said cameras will be allowed in the courtroom, for now, but there needs to be more control over them, according to reports.

On Oct. 26, Second Judicial District Court Judge John Judge declined to ban cameras in Kohberger's upcoming trial, but he noted he has not yet made a final decision on the motion to not allow them in the courtroom, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Kohberger’s attorneys have argued that cameras during trial would deprive their client his right to due process since media has focused exclusively on their client, a violation of Judge’s instructions, as Front Page Detectives previously reported.

At the hearing, Judge said, “I’m not going to ban cameras in the courtroom, but I need more control over what cameras are doing" and and what media "is doing with the filming."

He added, "I know I can only control so much and that’s why I continue to urge people to be patient and have some dignity and some restraint,” the Idaho Statesman reported.

Judge said he sought to find a balance between the need for a fair trial and the need to preserve public access to the proceedings.

He explained that cameras in a courtroom could possibly “tilt a case one way or the other if the media is, well, trying the case in the media.” He continued, “That’s not based on evidence, that’s not based on the rules of the court and it can get out of control.”

While both defense attorneys and prosecutors have argued for the ban of cameras, Judge ruled cameras, for now, would be allowed for now, but he would deliver his final decision at a later date.

“Please have patience, be respectful and be decent," Judge urged the media. "That’s what I want."

At a closed hearing, Judge also heard arguments on a defense motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment against Kohberger. No updates about the matter have been released.

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In November 2022, Kohberger, 28, was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University when police believe he broke into a home in Moscow, Idaho, and allegedly fatally stabbed four students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.

Kohberger was eventually identified as a suspect and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Kohberger is currently behind bars without bail, and he recently waived his right to a speedy trial, delaying the start of his trial.