Was the gag order a smart move?

Anyone following the Idaho 4 case knows all too well how much speculation has been flying around for the 11-plus months since the tragic murders took place in an off-campus rental home.

From speculation to the defendant’s vehicle being spotted going to and leaving the neighborhood of 1122 King Road to one of the surviving roommates clearly identifying the killer and more, we’ve heard just about everything possible.

It is important to stick to the facts in this tragic case and not let our minds run wild at all hours of the day.

Keep in mind that the Moscow police and prosecutors likely did not unveil all the evidence they have when the probable cause affidavit was put out there months ago. As such, there could be much more evidence they have that could point to them having the right individual in custody.

Even with that in mind, important to remember that defendant Bryan Kohberger is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by 12 jurors. While some people already convicted him on social media from day one, he has only been charged with several crimes, not convicted of them where it matters most.

To dispel some of the rumors and wishful thinking of some to date, keep in mind the following:

1. There has been no credible information released that shows Kohberger killed the four students – And before someone screams touch DNA, touch DNA is just that. It is NOT the same as blood, saliva etc. being found in the home belonging to the alleged killer. While prosecutors may have such evidence and it has not been released to the public, we don’t have anything credible that shows Kohberger was in the home and killed the four. For all we know, Kohberger may have been in the home on Nov. 13, 2022 buying or selling drugs, someone showed him a knife and he came in contact with the sheath, thus getting some of his touch DNA on it.
2. One or both of the surviving roommates had something to do with the murders – It is also important to remember that there is nothing credible to show that either surviving roommate had anything to do with the killings. Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke can be called into question on a number of things, but one in my mind not to question them on is having partaken in the killings. Unless there is some evidence we have not seen or heard, nothing credible suggests they had a role in the killings.
3. Kohberger was stalking one or more of the female victims – One of the big rumors floating around for months is the defendant stalked either Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves or Xana Kernodle. Although it was rumored that Goncalves had indicated she thought someone was following her at one point, law enforcement was never able to prove such a thing. I do not buy into the theory that Kohberger stalked one of the ladies and thus made the 10 or so minute drive (approximate drive time between his apartment in Pullman, Washington to the home in Moscow, Idaho) in order to kill. Keep in mind that Kohberger was on the Washington State campus in Pullman regularly. Why stalk one or more women across the border in Moscow when you have countless young coeds walking around the Wazzu campus?
4. If you have been cleared you are now untouchable – Finally, one of the claims I see all too often by people supporting the surviving roommates and others called into question in this case is being cleared by law enforcement means they are done with you. NO, just because you were cleared shortly after Nov. 13, 2022 does NOT mean you can’t be looked at again if new evidence comes to light. While someone should not have to live looking over their shoulders for police 24/7, being a person of interest in a case and being cleared does NOT mean police may be done with you if circumstances involving evidence change down the road.

With a trial date not set yet, safe to say the gag order being in place will continue to lead to more rumors in the tragic case of the Idaho 4.