Misinformation campaign running strong due to gag order

Yesterday (Oct. 13) was sadly the 11-month anniversary of the Idaho 4 murders.

On that fateful morning 11 months ago, Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were murdered in the rental home the three women shared at 1122 King Road. Chapin, who was dating Kernodle at the time, was spending the night there. Two other roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, presumably home at the time of the murders, were not harmed.

Not too long after a suspect (Bryan Kohberger) was arrested and people were beginning to wrap their heads around the case, a gag order was put in place. The gag order is for both the defense and prosecution, law enforcement and so on.

One group not impacted by the gag order have been the families and friends of the four victims. As such, there has been a sizable amount of information put out there about what supposedly happened on the morning of Nov. 13, 2022 in the King Road home.

As someone who has followed notable crime cases for some 40+ years and has been a journalist for more than 30 years, I have seen my share of misinformation get out there to the public over time. This case has been no different.

Many of us following the case have our opinions on who did it, what might well have happened and more. Even with that in mind, it is safe to say that much of the information put out there on social media and the like is speculation at best. Until we get to trial, we will not know what is true and what is false.

Among some of the biggest pieces of information floating around social media circles NOT confirmed to date would be:

• Kohberger had at least one of the female victim’s I.D. in his possession after being arrested – This has never been proven to be true. Of course this could change at trial. In the meantime, some in the Kohberger is guilty faction run with it on a regular basis.
• Kohberger stalked one or more of the female victims – Once again, this has never been proven as a fact. Even if it is shown at trial that Kohberger’s vehicle was in the area of the home in 2022, that does not equate to stalking someone or walking in their home and killing them. I’ve driven by countless locations more than once over my 40+ years of driving. It does not mean I am stalking an individual or plan to kill them.
• Kohberger liked to go out for evening drives – One thing that many against the defendant have hung their hats on is that the defendant has no alibi the day of the murders. Granted, one or more credible people saying they were with Kohberger around the time of the murders and it was not at 1122 King Road would give the defense and the defendant a strong alibi. The fact it was stated he was out driving around during that time period in question last Nov. 13 looks bad on paper. Once again, driving around and actually being in a home murdering people are not the same.
• Kohberger followed a couple of the female victims on social media – One of the biggest topics of chatter for many months now has been Kohberger followed Goncalves and Mogen on one of their social media channels. Like many other things in this tragic case, this has never been proven to be legitimate. And if it is ultimately found to be true at trial, following someone of the opposite sex on social media and murdering them are two entirely different things.
• Mortensen took part in the murders – Mortensen has been the subject of much chatter when it comes to her statement to police in the PCA. There have been some who think she in fact was part of the murders. There is zero evidence to point to the Boise resident having taken part in the murders. While it is fine to question her actions or in fact inaction when it comes to that morning and not calling 911 once safe to do so, saying she may be involved is totally speculation at best.
• Goncalves family is cashing in on their daughter’s death – One of the hotter topics of late on social media is that the family of Kaylee is cashing in on her death. Yes, people have been sending the family gifts to remember their daughter/sister. Steve Goncalves has reportedly come up with a hoodie to honor his daughter. There is also reportedly Ethan Chapin merchandise out there and most of us know about the tulips program in place to honor the lone male victim in the killings (Chapin worked on a tulip farm in his native Washington). As I see it, there is nothing wrong with any of these things as long as any monies made go towards scholarships etc. to honor the four victims. Many people feel a connection to this case despite not knowing the victims and families personally. If buying credible merchandise or making a donation to do something positive and the families do not cash in on it, I think that is fine.

Given we do not have a definitive date for a trial yet, safe to say more misinformation will litter social media in the weeks and months to come.

As you follow this case, what one piece of misinformation gets your attention the most?