MOSCOW, Idaho (Court TV) —A temporary restraining order blocking the release of certain crime scene materials in Bryan Kohberger’s murder case will remain in place while a judge takes arguments under advisement following a hearing Thursday.
Kohberger is serving multiple life sentences after pleading guilty to the Nov. 2022 murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
FILE – Bare spots are seen on Nov. 29, 2022, in the snowy parking lot in front of the home where four University of Idaho students were found dead on Nov. 13, in Moscow, Idaho, after vehicles belonging to the victims and others were towed away earlier in the day. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Idaho Second District Judge Megan Marshall issued a temporary restraining order on Aug. 15 prohibiting the City of Moscow from releasing any images, audio, or video depicting the inside of Madison Mogen’s bedroom until a preliminary injunction hearing can be held, according to a press release obtained by Court TV.
The legal action came three days after Karen Laramie, Mogen’s mother, filed a petition with the Latah County District Court seeking to prevent the release of additional public records related to the case.
This petition followed the city’s recent release of redacted crime scene photos in response to a public records request.
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In his initial ruling, Judge Marshall found that while major portions of previously released materials did not constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, certain unreleased bodycam video and photographs—even in redacted form—could potentially violate privacy concerns.
Although the temporary restraining order specifically addressed only Mogen’s bedroom, Moscow city officials decided to withhold all photographs and videos showing any victims’ bedrooms until the court makes a final decision.
On Aug. 26, a new filing indicated Ethan Chapin’s family joined Laramie in seeking a permanent injunction.
A hearing for the motion was held on Thursday, where Judge Marshall said he’d take the matter under advisement. Judge Marshall noted an amended temporary restraining order will be entered, focusing on images from inside the bedrooms where the victims were found.
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