BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge in Idaho has intervened to protect the privacy of victims' families by blocking the public release of particularly graphic crime scene photos taken during the investigation of four University of Idaho students murdered in 2022. Second District Judge Megan Marshall issued her ruling on Wednesday, stating that the online spread of such incredibly disturbing images could infringe on the personal privacy of the victims' loved ones, who might inadvertently encounter the visual evidence of the tragedy.
The judge mandated the city of Moscow to obscure elements in the images that depict the bodies of the victims or the immediate blood surrounding them. However, she acknowledged a public interest in the case and allowed the release of certain other materials, including videos showing distressed friends arriving at the crime scene on the morning the bodies were discovered.
Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without parole in July for the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin in a rental home in Moscow, Idaho. Families of two of the victims voiced their concerns to the judge about the potential emotional distress that could arise from the public viewing of the crime scene images.
As the criminal case drew widespread attention, the Moscow Police Department faced numerous requests to release investigatory records. However, as stated by Judge Marshall, there is little benefit for the public in viewing the graphic depictions of the scene.
“Releasing these records will have minor effect upon those who continue to be perplexed by the facts or fixated on unfounded conspiracies whereas it has and will continue to have profound effect upon the decedents’ loved ones," stated Marshall. The emotional toll on the families was emphasized in her decision, as she sought to balance public interest with the need to protect the dignity of the deceased and their families.
The judge mandated the city of Moscow to obscure elements in the images that depict the bodies of the victims or the immediate blood surrounding them. However, she acknowledged a public interest in the case and allowed the release of certain other materials, including videos showing distressed friends arriving at the crime scene on the morning the bodies were discovered.
Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without parole in July for the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin in a rental home in Moscow, Idaho. Families of two of the victims voiced their concerns to the judge about the potential emotional distress that could arise from the public viewing of the crime scene images.
As the criminal case drew widespread attention, the Moscow Police Department faced numerous requests to release investigatory records. However, as stated by Judge Marshall, there is little benefit for the public in viewing the graphic depictions of the scene.
“Releasing these records will have minor effect upon those who continue to be perplexed by the facts or fixated on unfounded conspiracies whereas it has and will continue to have profound effect upon the decedents’ loved ones," stated Marshall. The emotional toll on the families was emphasized in her decision, as she sought to balance public interest with the need to protect the dignity of the deceased and their families.
