Article Summary –
Bryan Kohberger’s defense attorney, Anne C. Taylor, commissioned phone surveys of potential jurors, which the judge presiding over Kohberger’s quadruple murder case argues could hinder the suspect’s ability to get a fair trial. Taylor asserts that the phone survey was crucial for her petition to change the trial venue due to extensive local media coverage. The judge responded to the prosecutor’s request to halt contact with potential jurors by granting the order and scheduling a hearing to discuss the situation with both sides.
The Quadruple Murder Case of Bryan Kohberger
In the proceedings of Bryan Kohberger’s quadruple murder case, the defense’s action of commissioning phone surveys to potential jurors has drawn criticism from the presiding judge. The judge has expressed concern that these surveys may compromise Kohberger’s right to a fair trial.
Defense attorney Anne C. Taylor has retorted that her client’s right to due process was violated when the judge ordered a halt to the anonymous survey without hearing the defense’s side first.
Kohberger, who is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, has made his case even more contentious. Taylor asserts the phone survey was crucial in her bid to change Kohberger’s trial venue due to extensive local media coverage in northwest Idaho.
Prosecutor Bill Thompson, however, stated that the survey, as it stands, cannot be allowed despite having no issue with “responsible, proper surveys”.
Concerns about the Phone Survey
The prosecution read out an excerpt from the court’s June 2023 gag order, which prohibits the defense from making extrajudicial statements that could influence the outcome of the case. Thompson expressed concern that the survey may have violated this order.
Survey questions under scrutiny include those inquiring if respondents have heard that Bryan Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania or if they know about evidence such as a knife sheath found on the bed next to one of the victims. Thompson critiqued these questions as disseminating potentially inadmissible evidence.
Accusations between Judge and Attorney
During the hearing, Taylor argued that the survey aimed to identify potential issues supporting their argument for a venue change. She criticized the judge’s halt order, asserting that it impeded their due process and ability to meet the venue change motion deadline.
The judge maintained that Taylor could have avoided the situation by transparently communicating the survey’s existence and purpose, expressing surprise that it was conducted behind his back. He asserted there was no violation of Kohberger’s due process rights.
No trial date or ruling about a change of venue has yet been set for Kohberger, but the judge has scheduled a court hearing on the case for next Wednesday at 4 p.m. PT.
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