Family members of Bryan Kohberger may be called to testify, according to court filings

BOISE, Idaho -- In a recent development regarding the case against Bryan Kohberger, accused of the stabbing murders of four University of Idaho students, prosecutors are seeking a ruling that would prohibit the family members of the defendant from attending the trial while other witnesses testify. This move comes after the prosecution filed a motion earlier in February, which aimed to allow the victims' immediate family members to be present in the courtroom, regardless of their scheduled testimony.

Kohberger's defense team opposed this motion in March, arguing that if the victims' families are permitted to attend, his own family—specifically his parents and two sisters—should also be allowed in the courtroom. They have raised concerns that excluding Kohberger's family while allowing the victims’ family creates an unfair situation, potentially influencing the trial’s outcome.

Additionally, the defense suggested that if the victims’ families were allowed to observe the proceedings, they should refrain from wearing any clothing or accessories featuring memorial messages or imagery that could sway jurors. This reflects their concern over maintaining a fair trial environment and the potential impact of emotional displays in court.

In their recent response, the prosecution emphasized that while families of homicide victims hold constitutional and statutory rights to be present at the trial, families of defendants do not share the same privileges. They also indicated the possibility of calling Kohberger's family members as witnesses, necessitating restrictions to ensure witnesses do not hear each other's testimonies.

As the trial nears, the prosecution must submit a list of intended witnesses by April 21, and the ongoing legal discussions surrounding courtroom access underscore the balance being sought between the rights of victims' families and the rights of the accused.