4 Univ of Idaho Students Murdered, Bryan Kohberger Arrested, Moscow, Nov 2022 #105

[Boxer]

I’m wondering (not really) why, if he allegedly feels soothed by spending “excessive time in the dark,” he didn’t just pick the easier route of lying in bed at night with the lights off? Maybe an eye mask too? Blackout shades?

It would seem to me that if someone purportedly has issues with his fine motor skills, and maybe some lingering issues with visual snow, the most difficult option to “manage his symptoms” would be choosing to drive in circles at night.

You need some manual dexterity to drive a car. You certainly need mastery of fine motor skills to operate a cell phone, as we know he can do (the dreadful selfie, for one).

If you need to find solace in the dark by looking at the stars, he could have done that right outside his own apartment. Or do the stars refuse to shine on Pullman?

This whole excuse is just a crock of manure. The man was where he wanted to be.

At that house, at that time, with those people, at a vulnerable time of night.

He “managed his symptoms” by doing what he was exploding to do to those students.

IMO

MOO
He manages his symptoms by creeping around in the dark?
Wow, so did the GSK.
MOO BK had had hot prowling experience, and was very successful at it, never caught.

MOO the erraticness of a college party house is what got him.
He probably had prowled in a lot more settled suburban homes back in PA.
MOO like GSK, who discovered in while he was in the Navy that his fellow sailors just didn't wake up as he wandered around their sleeping quarters at night, is the discovery of the profound vulnerability of sleeping people, and that for him violating their safety with a huge power imbalance was thrilling.

 

[SteveP]

Noting this is also Howard Blum. I don't know that I trust anything he writes at this point.

As I pointed out yesterday, literally the first sentence of his article contains a known inaccuracy. Blum claims that for two intense days in a Boise courtroom last week, he listened, as prosecution and defense engaged in a combative back-and-forth on a multitude of crucial evidentiary issues. There are lots of things he could interpret subjectively, but the length of the hearing is not one of them. While it may have felt like two days to Judge Hippler, the hearing only lasted a single day. If the self-professed "longtime reporter on this case" can't even get the number of days of the hearing correct, what else in the article might be inaccurate? I know the source is an accepted source, but, like any other accepted source, that does not mean that I have to accept everything it says it as truth. Most msm sources contain reporting inaccuracies regularly, anymore. JMO

https://archive.md/2025.04.17-063057/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14618245/bryan-kohberger-trial-idaho-murders-mother-sabotage.html

 

[Boxer]

I’m not offended. I’m learning … good points you make
Yes those articles could be gossip … I do respect your educated explanation

My ultimate thought was how tricky for the family … Maryann is on record against the death penalty and now they navigate their son facing such charge …, they are bound to have their opinions as to how he should plead.
If this were my son and I had my opinion that he had or hadn’t done it it’s now a whole mess to navigate since the death penalty is still on the table .

They are Catholic? Mother wants no DP, son doesn't want to directly lie.

 

[mrjitty]

Bringing my post forward from right before the thread closed:

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/CR01...alizing+Oral+Rulings+on+Motions+in+Limine.pdf
So many interesting bits in here.

Re: Timing Advance Records

"Defendant will be allowed to voir dire Special Agent Ballance outside the presence of the jury to ask whether he received Defendant's TA records covering the early morning hours of November 13, 2022 and the months prior, when Defendant was believed to have been in the area of 1122 King Road. However, if Agent Ballance denies having received the TA records, Defendant may not explore the matter further, either in voir dire or before the jury, given the absolute lack of any factual basis supporting his position that the State is hiding them.'° Thus, the State's motion is GRANTED, except as qualified regarding the very brief voir dire outside the presence of the jury.

footnote: Mr. Ray's affidavit, which forms the basis of the Defendant's challenge, is replete with speculation and unfounded, and, thus, highly improper accusations against the State. Further, not once in his affidavit does he address AT&T's seven-day retention period, which fully explains why the State was unable to obtain relevant TA records for Defendant."

I think that's pretty definitive.

I wish the Delphi Judge had authored this kind of ruling. Frankly its high time to put a stop to these baseless conspiracies that high profile defence attorneys seem to think they can file. Its not ethical.

 

[SteveP]

They are Catholic? Mother wants no DP, son doesn't want to directly lie.

I don't think BK has any problems with telling a direct lie, if he thinks it is to his advantage to. He did tell the traffic cop who stopped him for running a red light in Washington, that in Pennsylvania, where he's from, they don't have crosswalks. If he would lie about something as inconsequential as that, he will likely lie about anything, to anyone. JMO

 

[Cool Cats]

I can imagine that went over like a lead balloon. Do we know anything about BK's work history?

Bryan Kohberger self-assessment form reveals new details about suspect

"I lost 130 lbs at age 15 into age 16…I believe this is proof that I have the required dedication to be successful," Kohberger said in a 2015 job application.

www.newsweek.com

In 2015 Kohberger filled out an application for a job as a school security guard in the Pleasant Valley School district of Pennsylvania.

Under a section headed "Describe any specialized training, skills and extra-curricular activities," Kohberger wrote: "I boxed after school every day at the Jesse Harris Boxing Gym on 209 near Big Cheese Pizza, when it was still open."

"I also attended a year of the Law Enforcement Program and I learned how to patrol and do basic security procedures. I also learned how to do HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) at Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI)."

"I was the District 11 Skills USA regional champion in 2011 for extemporaneous speaking" (a competitive improvisational speaking style.) "I was a boxer and am still a runner. I believe dedication and perseverance are the most important skills learned from my activities," he said.

"I lost 130 lbs at age 15 into age 16 while attending High School and MCTI. I believe this is proof that I have the required dedication to be successful."

In the employment experience section of his application form, Kohberger put down fish cutter and a meat wrapper at BJ's Wholesale Club.

Of his fish cutter role, Kohberger wrote: "I cut the fish to the specifications of the customer."
Of his job as a meat wrapper, Kohberger wrote: "I did multiple things here, mostly the meat wrapping and produce positions."

"I made sure tags were correct, prices were matching on the outside shelves. I stocked the shelves with meat products and I unstocked the shipment that came in overnight, about 3 or 4 times a week."

Years Before Firing from University Job, Idaho Suspect Bryan Kohberger Was Problematic 'Fish Cutter' Employee

"He was withdrawn and didn't show improvement," a former employer of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger tells PEOPLE

people.com

According to Charles Conklin, the owner of Big Brown Fish and Pay Lakes in Effort, Pa., Kohberger worked for him for a period of four months in 2011 as a seasonal employee when Kohberger was in high school.

Kohberger was trained by Conklin to cut and filet raw fish. However, Kohberger never warmed up and got friendly, he was withdrawn and didn't show improvement. Conklin forbid him from interacting with customers.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article278493574.html

In high school, Bryan Kohberger was kicked out of his law enforcement training program after a complaint was made about him stemming from an incident involving other students, according to a former administrator at the county’s technical school.

 

[jepop]

As I pointed out yesterday, literally the first sentence of his article contains a known inaccuracy. Blum claims that for two intense days in a Boise courtroom last week, he listened, as prosecution and defense engaged in a combative back-and-forth on a multitude of crucial evidentiary issues. There are lots of things he could interpret subjectively, but the length of the hearing is not one of them. While it may have felt like two days to Judge Hippler, the hearing only lasted a single day. If the self-professed "longtime reporter on this case" can't even get the number of the days of the hearing correct, what else in the article might be inaccurate? I know the source is an accepted source, but, like any other accepted source, that does not mean that I have to accept everything it says it as truth. JMO

https://archive.md/2025.04.17-063057/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14618245/bryan-kohberger-trial-idaho-murders-mother-sabotage.html

Agree. And the real 'source' of the interpretation and then conjecture conveyed in the article is Blum himself. As for Blum's specific claim that BK's mother is "Sabotaging his defense"( at least this is the headline), this supposedly comes from 'sources who are close to BK's family" (paraphrase).

Blum pontificates about two "intense" days of "combative back and forth" instead of the accurate one day because it fits better with his theme. Blum is essentially a fiction writer imo and not a great one at that. For him it's all about style. He may or may not realise that the hearing was only one day, but because two days is better for the impression he's trying to convey, even if he knows it was one, moo he will still write two.

The headline and dodgily sourced statements implicating BK's mother in "sabotaging" his defense are imo irresponsible and unethical. Gossip is being kind. BK's parents should be left alone. If they wanted to talk to Blum they would. They apparently have not.

Steve Goncalves and Ethan Chapin's parents have all previously complained about Blum falsely ascribing statements to family members which were never made. (Will post links later but this is not secret and has been reliably reported). Moo

On Blum's conjecture about defense strategy. INAL but that sounds like utter rubbish to me. Whilst I think it's very, very, only slightly possible the defense may try to have BK declared incompetent to stand trial (unsuccessfully), how would it ever work that his counsel could force him to plead guilty and take a deal because of incompetence??! And the Court accept such a plea?? Senseless!!.?

If BK were really found too incompetent to aid in his own defence, then it becomes a matter of competency to stand trial, not to plead guilty because he cannot understand the charges against him. Surely Blum cannot really believe his own theory on this defense strategy? I mean, what the actual...?

Personally, my take is Blum has put this ridiculous conjecture out there simply to pad out the main click producing content and headline for Daily Mail. What's gonna get the readership is the unsubstantiated, irresponsible assertion that BK's mother is 'sabotaging' his defense. Jmo but shameful so called 'reporting' by Blum. And the Daily Mail Headline? Enough said. Moo

 

[Boxer]

Agree. And the real 'source' of the interpretation and then conjecture conveyed in the article is Blum himself. As for Blum's specific claim that BK's mother is "Sabotaging his defense"( at least this is the headline), this supposedly comes from 'sources who are close to BK's family" (paraphrase).

Blum pontificates about two "intense" days of "combative back and forth" instead of the accurate one day because it fits better with his theme. Blum is essentially a fiction writer imo and not a great one at that. For him it's all about style. He may or may not realise that the hearing was only one day, but because two days is better for the impression he's trying to convey, even if he knows it was one, moo he will still write two.

The headline and dodgily sourced statements implicating BK's mother in "sabotaging" his defense are imo irresponsible and unethical. Gossip is being kind. BK's parents should be left alone. If they wanted to talk to Blum they would. They apparently have not.

Steve Goncalves and Ethan Chapin's parents have all previously complained about Blum falsely ascribing statements to family members which were never made. (Will post links later but this is not secret and has been reliably reported). Moo

On Blum's conjecture about defense strategy. INAL but that sounds like utter rubbish to me. Whilst I think it's very, very, only slightly possible the defense may try to have BK declared incompetent to stand trial (unsuccessfully), how would it ever work that his counsel could force him to plead guilty and take a deal because of incompetence??! And the Court accept such a plea?? Senseless!!.?

If BK were really found too incompetent to aid in his own defence, then it becomes a matter of competency to stand trial, not to plead guilty because he cannot understand the charges against him. Surely Blum cannot really believe his own theory on this defense strategy? I mean, what the actual...?

Personally, my take is Blum has put this ridiculous conjecture out there simply to pad out the main click producing content and headline for Daily Mail. What's gonna get the readership is the unsubstantiated, irresponsible assertion that BK's mother is 'sabotaging' his defense. Jmo but shameful so called 'reporting' by Blum. And the Daily Mail Headline? Enough said. Moo

If his mother still hopes he is innocent, who cannot feel sorry for her and for BKs father. From all I have seen they tried to get him on a good path.

 

[jepop]

If his mother still hopes he is innocent, who cannot feel sorry for her and for BKs father. From all I have seen they tried to get him on a good path.

Yes, totally understandable. And wanting to believe or clinging to the idea that he could still be innocent, whilst it will prove hopeless ( jmo), is not "sabotaging" his defense.

 

[Arkay]

If his mother still hopes he is innocent, who cannot feel sorry for her and for BKs father. From all I have seen they tried to get him on a good path.

I truly agree.

He seems to have been their problem child for quite a long time. The sisters are successful, so IMO the issues are unique to Bryan.

And yes, from everything we’ve come to know, his parents did try in whatever ways they could to help him live a “normal” life.

It’s very difficult to look at your own child and see a monster.

In light of the BK we “know” from the media, his persistence looks like an evil thing. Otherwise I’d think it laudatory for someone lose 130 lbs. in a year.

Now that just strikes me as something sinister, because everything about him seems sinister after the fact.

IMO

 

[katydid23]

Me too! But what kind of excuse could he think of to to tell or convince his parents? And besides that, he wasn't there long and his siblings were checking out the inside of his car.

If he did lose his TA job, and was 'fired', wouldn't he lose his scholarship? I thought I remembered that from somewhere, but maybe he didn't have one?

IIRC, there was something about his situation with his professors and his past altercations which was going to make it hard for him to continue his education there. I think he would probably have just told his parents that his Senior Professor had it out for him and got him fired from the program.

 

[wendy44]

Don’t disagree @mickey2942 ….. just hope that is practical. IANAL….. but IIUC as the defendant has the right not to testify and remain silent…. wonder how sound that ruling is? And can it really be tied to such a condition? Hopefully a practicing attorney in these threads can give input on this here.

If the defense has no evidence at all of any BK conditions, including autism, and prior diagnosis or then there would need to be some admission or evidence introduced for such.

And don’t get me wrong….. I am not at all defending this suspect. And hope for a full and proper trial, evidence, testimony, and outcome. Including conviction based on the evidence now available publicly.

Shall have to wait for trial and evidence on the record. And don’t want any allowances for any reversal or other if later appealed. MOO

I think it's not so much a "condition" as it's rules of evidence. The defendant's demeanor in court, off the stand, is not evidence and the jury is not allowed to consider it, so any testimony that explains his demeanor off the stand is not relevant. Usually this works to protect the defendant. If he testifies, that's evidence the jury can consider and it may be relevant to explain his demeanor.
JMO

 

[Balthazar]

If he did lose his TA job, and was 'fired', wouldn't he lose his scholarship? I thought I remembered that from somewhere, but maybe he didn't have one?

IIRC, there was something about his situation with his professors and his past altercations which was going to make it hard for him to continue his education there. I think he would probably have just told his parents that his Senior Professor had it out for him and got him fired from the program.

He was fired from his TA position. They also trespassed him from WSU (probably in case he might get out on bail. )
TA position pays for:
classes 100%
room and board 100%
medical insurance (not deductible)
small amount of spending money for gas, clothes, eating out and such
In exchange for 20 hours a week work a TA graduates debt free.

If you are fired from your TA position your options are:
1. appeal and try to regain TA position
2. become a self-paying student somehow, via getting another outside job or your parents paying
3. leave the school you were fired at and go to another graduate program where you can get a new ta position. This is the option most who are fired choose if they want to continue grad school. Some choose to go to directly to work and forget about getting their advanced degree.

 

[Arkay]

3. leave the school you were fired at and go to another graduate program where you can get a new ta position. This is the option most who are fired choose if they want to continue grad school. Some choose to go to directly to work and forget about getting their advanced degree.

I think the option of going to another grad program and getting a new T.A. position would not be this simple. The new school would want references before hiring him, particularly if he had to leave abruptly.

IMO

Anyway, moot point.

He appears to have chosen option #4, which is not on your list:

Commit a crime and have your meals, lodging and medical care provided by the prison system.

JMO

 

[Ghostwheel]

If Blum accuses BKs mother of sabotaging defense, is that libel or slander? Seems like it would be.

Is it simply possible that since BK did not plead Not Guilty in his own voice, the reality is just that the mom said " just tell them you are Not Guilty" and it got twisted into that ridiculous garbage?

 

[JudyBolton]

He appears to have chosen option #4, which is not on your list.

Commit a crime and have your meals, lodging and medical care provided by the prison system.

Love this analysis!!!

 

[Arkay]

If Blum accuses BKs mother of Sabotaging defense, is that libel or slander? Seems like it would be.

If it’s in print, it would be libel. If someone is defamed verbally, it’s slander.

But it would have to be proven that the statements are false and caused harm to the subject.

Harm to one’s reputation counts.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

If his mother still hopes he is innocent, who cannot feel sorry for her and for BKs father. From all I have seen they tried to get him on a good path.

And in fairness, even if they know deep down that he isn't innocent, he is still their son. I don't think anyone can blame them for wanting to believe this is all a horrible mistake, and no one could judge a mother for not wanting her child put to death, no matter what they had done.
I feel awful for the Kohberger's, there is so much on their shoulders but they are victims too, all they ever did was love their son and try to do their best for him. I can't imagine what it must feel like for them.

 

[Megnut]

If you read any book by an FBI profiler in regards to serial killers, they all talk about "precipitating stressors." These are traumatic life events (relationship troubles, legal trouble, financial trouble, etc), that result in the offender deciding to strike at a particular time. To me, it's clear that his school/work troubles are the most likely trigger here.

He of course doesn't meet the definition of a serial killer, but I have always been convinced he was behaving as one.

Rbbm

Totally.

IMO the only reason he isn't a serial killer is because he got caught.

BK must have been studying ancient murder cases, in an age before cctv and DNA.

Because it really didn't matter how common your car is when you leave your DNA at the scene.

JMO

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Apparently this trip was planned for a long time. It certainly was a drain on his father, according to Blum.

When stopped by LE on the trip home, BK was asked if he was afraid to fly, if that was the reason they made the cross-country drive.

But I wonder of BK wanted his Glock with him, and didn't want to declare it and check it at the airport. Wanted to keep a low profile. Maybe target practice in a rural area was what he did on his night time drives.

I hadn’t realized he was traveling with a Glock. That does add interesting layers to the discussion on “why drive?”

Did LE ask him when stopped in Indiana if he was afraid to fly?