A judge in Idaho has ruled that a redacted transcript from a closed-door hearing in the Bryan Kohberger case will be released to the public. The hearing focused on the use of forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence, which Kohberger's lawyers are challenging. The release of the transcript could provide new insights into the investigation.
An Idaho judge has decided to release a redacted transcript from a closed-door hearing that took place last week regarding the case against Bryan Kohberger , the student accused of murdering four University of Idaho students. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler initially barred the public and media from attending the hearing, but he has now ordered that both the prosecution and defense receive unredacted copies of the transcript.
They will have 14 days to propose redactions before the public version is released. The closed hearing focused on forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence, which Kohberger's lawyers are attempting to have dismissed. They argue that the FBI violated his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures by using this technique. During a subsequent two-day public hearing, Kohberger's lead attorney, Anne Taylor, argued that the FBI's use of IGG techniques violated Kohberger's constitutional rights because it involved examining familial DNA without his consent. Judge Hippler, however, appeared skeptical of these claims, stating that 'it wasn't his DNA that was searched. At best, it was his ancestors.' He also questioned whether Kohberger even had standing to challenge the investigatory tactic. Prosecutors countered that there is no expectation of privacy regarding public records and crime scene evidence. They emphasized that the FBI followed its own interim policy when checking IGG samples against a database, and they argued that this policy does not impose any legal limitations on lawful investigative or prosecutorial activities. The release of the redacted transcript could shed new light on how investigators used IGG to connect Kohberger to the crime scene and ultimately track him down to his parents' home in Pennsylvania. Kohberger is scheduled for trial later this year. He faces the death penalty if convicted
BRYAN KOHBERGER IDAHO MURDERS INVESTIGATIVE GENETIC GENEALOGY CLOSED-DOOR HEARING DEATH PENALTY
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