4 Univ of Idaho Students Murdered, Bryan Kohberger Arrested, Moscow, 2022 #78

[Sister Golden Hair]

Yep. You may be right, and ICBW, but 'pending student conduct charges' probably related to the reasons he was fired from his position, and we already know the basic reasons for that. IMO and based on the other warrants/affidavits, I believe the reason for both documents to be sealed is something far more sensitive. I'm just taking a big picture approach since I've gone through all the warrants, and warrants that happened at the same time seem related to me, particularly DropBox.

Replying to my own post to add add'l info now that I've had a chance to go through more documents. I see the trespass letter was served to BK on 12/31 in the PA jail. IMO the (see pages 160-163 https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/kohberger-search-records-from-wsu/6e5a6ce24a286a06/full.pdf) I really do not believe the WSU warrant/affidavit is related to the trespass letter.

IMO it is possible and I believe that the warrants/affidavits below are linked based on dates. IMO it looks like that when the WSU information was received, LE followed with three more warrants. IMO this could have been because information provided by WSU led LE to the next round of warrants and the information for the YikYak and Twitter may have come via Dropbox or Dropbox could have had its own documents/photo stash. This is just my opinion now and is subject to change, of course.

WSU Warrant/Affidavit
The Motion to seal for the WSU warrant/affidavit was dated 1.24.2023 and the order to seal was dated 1.25.2023. Based on this, I believe the warrant date was on or about 1.24.2023.
It came before the court again.
"This matter came before the court on February 10, 2023 on the court’s motion to seal or
redact pursuant to I.C.A.R. 32(i)." The court sealed both. The hearing was via Zoom.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR29-22-2805/030723%20Order%20to%20Seal%20-%20Washington%20State%20University.pdf

Note that both the warrant and affidavit for WSU are sealed. Note the reason:
...court finds it necessary to seal the record related to the search warrant because it is necessary to preserve the right to a fair trial. I.C.A.R. 32(i)(2).
Other reasons were stated in the first order to seal, as well.

What could be so sensitive in the WSU information that it would require both docs sealed v Dropbox, YikYak and Twitter? I think the longer list of reasons for sealing may provide a clue.

Dropbox Warrant/Affidavit
The warrant for the anonymous (redacted name) Dropbox was dated 1.25.2023 and the order was dated 1.25.2023.

NOTE: we know that this is not Bryan Kohberger's account because his name is not redacted from documents. So whose account is it?

The final order to redact (the warrant) and seal (the affidavit) was dated 2.10.2023.
This matter came before the court on February 10, 2023 on the court’s motion to seal or redact
pursuant to I.C.A.R. 32(i). The hearing was held via Zoom.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR29-22-2805/022823%20Order%20to%20Seal%20and%20Redact%20-%20Dropbox.pdf

Note the reasons:
(1) The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be
highly objectionable to a reasonable person; and
(2) lt is necessary to preserve the right to a fair trial.

YikYak Warrant/Affidavit
The warrant for Bryan Kohberger's YikYak was dated 1.25.2023 and the order to seal was dated 2.2.2023. The final order to redact (the warrant) and seal (the affidavit) was dated 2.10.2023, same as the Dropbox, same as WSU.
This matter came before the court on February 10, 2023 on the court’s motion to seal or redact
pursuant to I.C.A.R. 32(i). The hearing was held via Zoom.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR29-22-2805/030723%20Order%20to%20Seal%20%20Redact%20-%20Yik%20Yak%20Inc.pdf

Note the reasons:
(1) The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be
highly objectionable to a reasonable person; and
(2) lt is necessary to preserve the right to a fair trial.


Twitter Warrant/Affidavit
The warrant for Bryan Kohberger's Twitter was dated 1.25.2023. There were some delays with the service and receipt and the documents are not in order in the PDF.
This matter came before the court on March 14, 2023 on the court’s motion to seal or redact
pursuant to I.C.A.R. 32(i). The hearing was held via Zoom. The warrant was redacted (obv) and the affidavit was sealed.

Note the reasons:
(1) The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be
highly objectionable to a reasonable person; and
(2) lt is necessary to preserve the right to a fair trial.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR29-22-2805/032423%20Order%20to%20Seal%20and%20Redact%20-%20Twitter.pdf

 

[10ofRods]

BBM

I've been thinking about the whole VSS thing. BK managed to navigate in a strange house with a confusing layout in the dark meanwhile he has some kind of visual impairment?

BK seems very buttoned down. Suspiciously normal. JMO I'd suspect him just as much as someone with a face tattoo, if not moreso.

Some people with VSS have a very hard time with night vision; others find their vision is better at night (perhaps due to lower contrast).

I would wager that BK is in the second group, but we really have no clue.

IMO.

 

[SpiderFalcon]

If I understand correctly, Kohberger did not use the second bedroom and maybe that's why it was locked. Was the lease for a year or only for the semester? Upon losing his TA position, he lost his tuition benefit. Given that there were little possessions left in the residence and he had cleaned out the separate storage unit, do you believe that he had any intention of returning? But didn't he leave his computer?

It's not clear whether he EVER used the storage area, IMO. I was very interested in what they found there, which turned out to be NOTHING. And yes, he did not use the 2nd bedroom, and apparently, it was locked so he couldn't, per the terms of his "lease". IMO, perhaps this was a "furnished" apartment, and he probably didn't have much to begin with. I can speculate that he left items because he wasn't ready to tell his father that he got fired? I think he was planning on returning... All JMO, IMO.

 

[Sundog]

If WSU did fire him, would they have cleared his space of any personal or proprietary items and told LE when they asked for the keys?

<snipped for focus>

If you mean by "firing" that BK lost his TA position, then we do know that this happened that he lost his teaching assistantship. But until the "Trespass Admonition" notice, we didn't know if BK had chosen not to return to WSU in the spring 2023 semester, or if he was expelled.

Now we know that on December 30, 2023, BK was not allowed back on WSU campus, until further notice of the outcome of his student conduct hearings.

It's possible that the student conduct violation is related to his altercations with the faculty member who taught the class that BK was TA-ing for. Or maybe he was stalking, whether in person or online. If the latter, then the Conduct Board at WSU is able to suspend or vote to go the expulsion route.

ETA - BK received the Trespass Admonition while in jail in PA, IIRC.

 

[10ofRods]

I've only seen this one other time and it's the Delphi murders. The family cannot speak because of the gag order there also.

Gabby Petito case is another one. Since the Goncalves family already made motions in that direction (set up a website, etc), I would think that explains why they are going to court for this. Gabby and Kaylee both had well known Instagram presences (not huge audiences, of course, but both became famous after death).

It certainly is something many grieving people think about (many of the funerals I go to, the family is requesting money for a cause instead of flowers, etc).

IMO.

 

[Sundog]

If WSU did fire him, would they have cleared his space of any personal or proprietary items and told LE when they asked for the keys?

<snipped for focus>

Sorry, my last post got away from me before I was finished.

WSU apparently did not clear BK's campus apartment, because we know that on January 19, 2023, BK's defense lawyer, Ann Taylor, requested access to the apartment from LE and that LE escorted Taylor and members of her team to the apartment so she could have access, and she left with quite a few items that belonged to BK (books, paperwork, etc.). She also provided a copy of a letter from BK that authorized Ann Taylor to enter his apartment and retrieve these belongings.

So I am guessing that it was not yet determined on January 19th what they would do with BK's apartment. Maybe LE has asked WSU to hold it, or maybe WSU on its own has decided not to clear the apartment. Maybe BK had a year-long lease and WSU has to go to through eviction precedings. We don't know.

 

[Sundog]

It's not clear whether he EVER used the storage area, IMO. I was very interested in what they found there, which turned out to be NOTHING. And yes, he did not use the 2nd bedroom, and apparently, it was locked so he couldn't, per the terms of his "lease". IMO, perhaps this was a "furnished" apartment, and he probably didn't have much to begin with. I can speculate that he left items because he wasn't ready to tell his father that he got fired? I think he was planning on returning... All JMO, IMO.

I agree, it is not clear if BK ever used his storage unit that was assigned to his campus apartment. LE said that it was dusty, so it may not have been used for awhile. But they did find a storage unit lock and key in his apartment, so maybe he used it at some point when he had just moved in during the month of July 2022? Curious why he had a lock for the storage room, but it was found dusty by LE.

 

[Nila Aella]

I don't think any of the sightings referred to in the PCA are referencing sightings by people because the section more or less falls under a section that is introduced with a short explanation about the techniques of video canvassing. Also an eye witness account would most likely be far less reilable re make, model and year than a camera capture that can be studied in detail. MOO

SBM focus

Just to clarify:
I was mainly referring to eyewitness sightings relating to movement (not model determination), like the three point turn for instance. I thought this might be one possible explanation for why the expert didn't see all angles of the car.

MOO

 

[SpiderFalcon]

I agree, it is not clear if BK ever used his storage unit that was assigned to his campus apartment. LE said that it was dusty, so it may not have been used for awhile. But they did find a storage unit lock and key in his apartment, so maybe he used it at some point when he had just moved in during the month of July 2022? Curious why he had a lock for the storage room, but it was found dusty by LE.

I speculate that the lock for the storage room was part of what the apartment management gave him when they gave him his keys to the apartment when he moved in. JMO, and also, the longest run-on sentence I've written today

 

[PrairieWind]

I think some of the families also want to start foundations or charities. In my own lifetime, this has been a common thing for bereaved families to do (and not just due to murder). I feel so badly for these families, not being able to do that, because apparently any mention of the case could put them in legal jeopardy.

That doesn't seem right. I hope there's a ruling soon. The families should have the right to grieve (including human speech, which is central to human existence) as they see fit.

IMO.

Who has said the families can't set up foundations or charities? The gag order has nothing to do with that.

 

[Sundog]

At most universities they have the option to issue a persona non grata status to anyone they want to keep off their campus and properties.

It is interesting that they are going the "student conduct" investigation route and not persona non grata to keep BK off of the campus.

At least they still have this option if for any reason the Conduct Board decides against expulsion, if it wasn't legal for the kind of charge they are investigating.

Some state laws only allow state universities to issue persona non grata status to individuals for up to two years, while some states allow for the permanent issuance of this status. I am not sure about Washington law.

 

[Sister Golden Hair]

One other thought re curious warrants:

Of all the warrants for financial information, this one is most puzzling:

Idaho Department of Labor
It's for the 4 victims and 5 others. I know the easy response is 3 other roommates and 2 more, but we can't be sure of that.

There are several things that make it weird to me.

Why not do it as part of the first round of financial warrants on 11.19?

If they only wanted to verify employment, sources of income, why not do that initially if this is only about due diligence and all?

What about information received from the ID DOL would include

( l) The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be
highly objectionable to a reasonable person; and
(2) The documents contain facts or statements that might threaten the safety of or endanger the life
or safety of individuals.

Those are the reasons given for why the court finds it necessary to seal in part and redact the record, but what about the ID DoL would contain that?

Editing to add this for convenience: Public Records Guidelines

This matter came before the court on February 10, 2023 on the court’s motion to seal or redact
pursuant to l.C.A.R. 32(i). The hearing was held via Zoom. William W. Thompson, Jr. and Ashley Jennings
appeared on behalf of the State. Anne Taylor appeared on behalf of Mr. Kohberger.
The court reviewed the records, considered the arguments presented, weighed the interests in
privacy and public disclosure, and announced its findings of fact on the record. Therefore, pursuant to
l.C.A.R. 32(i)(2)(A) and (D), the court finds it necessary to seal in part and redact the record related to the search warrant for the following reasons:

( l) The documents contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be
highly objectionable to a reasonable person; and

(2) The documents contain facts or statements that might threaten the safety of or endanger the life
or safety of individuals

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR29-22-2805/022823%20Order%20to%20Seal%20and%20Redact%20-%20Idaho%20Department%20of%20Labor.pdf

 

[gliving]

At King, the car made four appearances, tried to park, a three point turn, and was seen leaving. (PCA)
Why leave the range 2011-2016? The car is not on a highway going fast in front of King Road and it made a three point turn - which should show different angles. Poor camera capability? Poor lighting? Poor camera capability and poor lighting together? Not the same car? Maybe some of the "was seen" statements refer to someone seeing the car instead of a camera capture of the movement? I can't think of any other reasons that account for the difference (from an expert) between the WSU captures and the King captures. JMO

SBM Remember it was foggy that night with "ice fog" so poor visibility comes into play.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

SBM Remember it was foggy that night with "ice fog" so poor visibility comes into play.

Which can also help the defense, IMO.

 

[Helechawagirl]

I agree, it is not clear if BK ever used his storage unit that was assigned to his campus apartment. LE said that it was dusty, so it may not have been used for awhile. But they did find a storage unit lock and key in his apartment, so maybe he used it at some point when he had just moved in during the month of July 2022? Curious why he had a lock for the storage room, but it was found dusty by LE.

Perhaps it belongs to another storage unit?

 

[DizzyB]

I agree, in the video cam footage of the 10/14/22 traffic stop both just seemed to be behaving normally IMO. That is I didn't see any thing that I would call abnormal behaviour, or a red flag. Just two people interacting where you get a glimpse into their respective personalities. MOO

I thought that the long video version made me feel less that BK was a smart aleck. One would think that with all of his interactions involving driving, he would just listen and maybe be more apologetic. But I guess it worked for him, since he doesn’t have a ton of tickets. Still the smartest boy in the room, though. I wonder if he thinks he is “one of them” regarding LE. He has a flat affect. I have seen similar questions and responses that were taught to individuals that lack social skills.

As far as locked doors and shower curtains, I would not be surprised if these things had nothing to do with murder and just were rituals BK lived by. I also imagine that most of us-certainly men that shave, might have a blood spot or two on a pillowcase.

 

[mmeynstyn]

That would be great as it would be found eventually.
Unfortunately the Snake River is close to his return route.

According to the PCA the return route back to WSU: "8458 phone traveling south on ID state highway 95 to Genesee, ID, then traveling west towards 13 Uniontown, ID, and then north back into Pullman, WA. IMO,this route is not really close to the Snake River. According to Google Maps, this route appears to cross over Union Flat Creek.

However, according to the PCA, later that afternoon, BK took a drive to Lewiston, ID. Now that is where the Snake River is close. Clearwater River is a tributary of the Snake River with a bridge. An Albertsons in Lewiston is across the bridge. So, JMO, I think he may have dumped evidence during this afternoon drive rather than on the route home.

 

[Twistinginthewind]

It doesn't sound like the blood found on BK's mattress cover and uncased pillow was insignificant, IMO (BBM):

"One swab of the mattress cover on the bed marked positive for blood, the document describing it as a "brown irregular drip." The document says multiple stains were tested after one positive blood test.

The other positive test comes from an uncased pillow on the south side of the bed, the document states. There were two separate stains -- only the larger stain was tested."

Documents show areas in Idaho murder suspect's apartment tested positive for blood

 

[ktm44]

Thank you for this excellent post! I agree with everything especially “I don’t feel the need to declare BK guilty or not guilty based on incomplete information”

I also really appreciate the deep dives some have taken into the various warrants- Sister golden hair, Nila Aella and several others. I don’t have time to read every document and appreciate ALL the discussion and expertise of the many talented posters.

I don't think there is enough available information to establish guilt or innocence and do feel that a lot of people assume that because he was arrested, he has to be guilty.

I''d much rather see LE do everything they can to collect and process evidence, the prosecution do the best job they can to use that evidence to their advantage and the defence team to do the best job they can as well. Hopefully, with all those things in place, there will be a conviction in a courtroom rather than a social media conviction.

I am that person that believes that all the 'experts' that have been trotted out to ratings are muddying the water and have made the world a lot more complicated for those who are actually trying ensure justice is carried out.

 

[Sjöberg]

Sure are a lot of reddish stains in his apartment. Like his light switch for instance. He cleaned his car like a fiend but failed to wipe up his apt? Kinda odd.

And they continue for pages (red/brown stains). I can't imagine he'd be that sloppy with potential evidence throughout his apartment when he was so thorough with cleaning his car.

Until we know how much blood was found, there's really no way for us to know what the blood was from. I find blood on his pillow to be much less suspicious than if he had blood anywhere else in his apartment. JM

I somewhat doubt it is related to the crime (only because I just cannot make sense how and why), but why or earth did he have blood stains under two different rugs? Or does anyone know, were there updates and were these later somehow ruled out (as these were presumptive tests for blood)?