MOSCOW, Idaho — News media cameras will not be permitted in any future court proceedings of accused Moscow quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger.
As independent news and media outlets have been clamoring for the ability to gather and distribute video and audio from the courtroom during hearings, the judge presiding over the murder case issued the order Friday stating that all "audio/visual coverage of any proceedings in this case will be exclusively done by the Court."
The order states that members of the media and public will not be allowed to record their own video, audio or take photographs of future hearings, including a possible trial.
In most court proceedings in Idaho, a single camera operator provides video or photos to all media outlets interested in coverage in what's known as a pool agreement. This helps keep the courtroom itself less crowded and prevents disruptions from having multiple pieces of camera equipment and wires.
The judge criticized previous pool cameras of focusing too much on Kohberger in court, including getting video and photos of Kohberger walking into and out of the courtroom, before the court is officially on the record.
Bryan Kohberger hearings will continue to be on video. However, permitted cameras will be operated by the court and not independent media outlets, according to Judge John Judge.
"This will help to alleviate the concerns raised by both the defense and the State, but at the same time will ensure the public still has access to see the proceedings for themselves if they cannot attend hearings in-person," the order stated.
The Latah County judge agreed to provide a live video feed to be streamed on YouTube.
RELATED: Read the order: 'Motion to Remove Cameras from Courtroom' on the Idaho Cases of Interest page
RELATED: Trial 'delayed indefinitely' for Kohberger allows FBI to return to King Road house, crime scene
The decision follows an earlier motion in August to remove cameras from the courtroom. According to Idaho Court Administrative Rule 45 of Idaho's state judicial system, the judge presiding over said case has the choice to grant or deny camera access.
These decisions are final and are not subject to appeal under the rule.
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder and felony burglary in the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. The four University of Idaho students were murdered in an off-campus residence - referred to as the "King Road house" - on Nov. 13, 2022.
Prosecutors allege lab results deemed Kohberger was a positive match to DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, located underneath Mogen and Goncalves' bodies. Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested in December 2022 at his family's home in Pennsylvania and extradited to Idaho on Jan. 4, 2023, to face the murder charges.
A trial date has yet to be set in the State of Idaho v. Bryan Kohberger case.
RELATED: University of Idaho murders 1 year later: Moscow community continues to mourn and heal
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