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

[Cool Cats]

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.

Yes. I see "precipitating stressors" here.

In his brief four-month stint as a teaching assistant, Mr Kohberger reportedly got into multiple altercations with one of the professors – Professor John Snyder.

The first altercation reportedly took place on 23 September and he was called in to meet the professor to discuss his behaviour on 3 October.

But his behaviour only escalated, with reports of him becoming increasingly “feisty”, “belligerent” and getting into arguments with professors in the run-up to the murders.

On 21 October, Professor Snyder emailed Mr Kohberger telling him he had failed to meet the expectations he had outlined in their previous discussion.

On 2 November – 11 days before the murders – Mr Kohberger reportedly met with the professor to discuss an “improvement plan” for his behaviour.

Bryan Kohberger was fired from WSU teaching job days before Idaho murders arrest

His attitude towards women was cited as a key concern, with the criminal justice student allegedly having a ‘sexist attitude towards females he interacted with at the school’

www.the-independent.com

 

[katydid23]

FWIW (The DM) This article is paywalled but also turns up in the DM "archives". I found this bit interesting speaking about his D team:

https://archive.ph/2025.04.17-063057/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14618245/bryan-kohberger-trial-idaho-murders-mother-sabotage.html#selection-1397.0-1415.103

It goes on to say that it is BK's mother who is encouraging him to plead not guilty.

That^^^ info about his mother being the one encouraging him to plead Not Guilty makes me wonder about his 'Not Speaking' the actual Not Guilty plea in court. AT made a big deal about it being a symbolic thing, showing they were not aligning themselves with the court's attempt to convict him, or something like that.

But could it be as simple as him not being convinced that he should plead Not Guilty?

August traffic stop, 11:40 pm, who wants to guess with me what explanation BK might have given, if the officer who stopped BK asked him what he was going out at that hour?

My money is on: I'm going stargazing.

Two reasons why I think it: AT didn't invent that out of nowhere and it's the perfect cover for what also might look like a kill kit. Dark clothing, dark balaclava, flashlight, binoculars, those sorts of things. Clever, clever.

Shovel? Oh, that? It's for ... snow.

An answer for everything.

JMO

I think he probably said he was shopping at Winco, the all night supermarket. Am I remembering correctly that he claimed to shop there frequently?

I do remember that in the State’s ‘Motion in Limine Re Authentication of Records’ there was an interesting tidbit.

Of all the retail outlets listed, it seems like it's only Winco, that includes evidence for both Kohberger and the young women victims. They requested financial records and surveillance video for the roommates, as well as financial records for Kohberger.

Given that this is being presented as evidence what’s the significance?

We know that the police probably scoured transaction's timelines to find correlations between the victims and Kohberger. Did they find it at Winco?

 

[INfisherman]

Agree. And I feel like Blum's description of what happened in court does not really match what I saw for myself.
JMO

I get that feeling just by reading opinions on the case at times.

JMO

 

[Cool Cats]

That^^^ info about his mother being the one encouraging him to plead Not Guilty makes me wonder about his 'Not Speaking' the actual Not Guilty plea in court. AT made a big deal about it being a symbolic thing, showing they were not aligning themselves with the court's attempt to convict him, or something like that.

But could it be as simple as him not being convinced that he should pleads Not Guilty?


I think he probably said he was shopping at Winco, the all night supermarket. Am I remembering correctly that he claimed to shop there frequently?

Then maybe he can show the jury his 23 receipts and other camera/digital evidence he was obsessively shopping at WinCo Foods in the middle of the night. Maybe produce a witness. Wait, he was a loner, that's right.

2 Cents

 

[MassGuy]

That^^^ info about his mother being the one encouraging him to plead Not Guilty makes me wonder about his 'Not Speaking' the actual Not Guilty plea in court. AT made a big deal about it being a symbolic thing, showing they were not aligning themselves with the court's attempt to convict him, or something like that.

But could it be as simple as him not being convinced that he should pleads Not Guilty?


I think he probably said he was shopping at Winco, the all night supermarket. Am I remembering correctly that he claimed to shop there frequently?

I do remember that in the State’s ‘Motion in Limine Re Authentication of Records’ there was an interesting tidbit.

Of all the retail outlets listed, it seems like it's only Winco, that includes evidence for both Kohberger and the young women victims. They requested financial records and surveillance video for the roommates, as well as financial records for Kohberger.

Given that this is being presented as evidence what’s the significance?

We know that the police probably scoured transaction's timelines to find correlations between the victims and Kohberger. Did they find it at Winco?

Unfortunately, that Winco stuff is not going to be presented by the prosecution. My mind was tracking the same way yours was in that regard.

8. Winco financial records and video surveillance for BF, DM, KG, MM, and/or XK
(AV000860; Hard drive for 4/5/23)
The State no longer intends to rely on this evidence. If the State does, it will lay the proper foundation at trial.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/CR01-24-31665/2025/032425-States+Reply+to+Defendants+Objection+to+MIL+RE+Self+Authentication+of+Records.pdf

 

[katydid23]

Idaho murder trial judge to allow ‘bushy eyebrows’ testimony, but jury can’t hear about suspect’s autism unless he testifies​

Idaho murder trial judge to allow ‘bushy eyebrows’ testimony, but jury can’t hear about suspect’s autism unless he testifies

Bryan Kohberger’s legal team won’t be able to tell a jury in his upcoming death penalty trial about his autism diagnosis unless he takes the stand in his own defense, a judge ruled Friday.

www.yahoo.com

Kohberger’s lawyers had asked the judge to allow them to tell the jury during opening statements that he has autism spectrum disorder – a condition they say will explain what might be perceived as odd behavior as he sits at the defense table.

Judge Steven Hippler denied the motion Friday, saying unless Kohberger testifies, his demeanor is not relevant.

The judge said he’s never seen any odd behavior from Kohberger during the hearings he’s presided over in the last several months, noting Kohberger is diagnosed with the least severe form of ASD and “by all accounts is highly-functioning.”

Kohberger’s attorneys have repeatedly said it’s unlikely he’ll take the stand in his own defense because of his diagnosis.

This ^^^ could be problematic in terms of timing. The Defense wanted to discuss his autism during Opening Statements.

Judge H just ruled that unless BK testifies, the defense cannot discuss his autism. But the decision for a defendant to testify does not usually happen until the state rests their case.

So if the D says yes, he will testify and they then tell the jury all about him being autistic, what happens if he later decides he doesn't want to testify? I don't think the court can force him to do so?

So I guess the Judge is saying that the D cannot discuss that in OS, but later when they put on their case, they can tell the jury about the autism angle before he takes the stand?

 

[INfisherman]

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.

I will always have the suspicion that him being smarter than LE/detectives or proving he was intelligent enough to find a loophole or some little thing to get him off was in there somewhere, probably in addition to the stressors.

JMO

 

[katydid23]

Unfortunately, that Winco stuff is not going to be presented by the prosecution. My mind was tracking the same way yours was in that regard.

8. Winco financial records and video surveillance for BF, DM, KG, MM, and/or XK
(AV000860; Hard drive for 4/5/23)
The State no longer intends to rely on this evidence. If the State does, it will lay the proper foundation at trial.

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/CR01-24-31665/2025/032425-States+Reply+to+Defendants+Objection+to+MIL+RE+Self+Authentication+of+Records.pdf

Oh darn. I was hoping they were somehow there at same time one night. sigh...

 

[Cool Cats]

I will always have the suspicion that him being smarter than LE/detectives or proving he was intelligent enough to find a loophole or some little thing to get him off was in there somewhere, probably in addition to the stressors.

JMO

He sounds like he thinks he is smarter by telling the Pullman police department that he could show them how to do something better than the way they were doing it. I do not think he got the internship and that may have angered him.

Police said Kohberger applied for an internship with the Pullman police in the fall of 2022. In an essay he said he wanted to help "rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations," according to court documents.

Idaho murders: Suspect applied for internship with local police department

The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in the early hours of Dec. 30, according to police.

abcnews.go.com

 

[Rumination1]

That^^^ info about his mother being the one encouraging him to plead Not Guilty makes me wonder about his 'Not Speaking' the actual Not Guilty plea in court. AT made a big deal about it being a symbolic thing, showing they were not aligning themselves with the court's attempt to convict him, or something like that.

But could it be as simple as him not being convinced that he should plead Not Guilty?


I think he probably said he was shopping at Winco, the all night supermarket. Am I remembering correctly that he claimed to shop there frequently?

I do remember that in the State’s ‘Motion in Limine Re Authentication of Records’ there was an interesting tidbit.

Of all the retail outlets listed, it seems like it's only Winco, that includes evidence for both Kohberger and the young women victims. They requested financial records and surveillance video for the roommates, as well as financial records for Kohberger.

Given that this is being presented as evidence what’s the significance?

We know that the police probably scoured transaction's timelines to find correlations between the victims and Kohberger. Did they find it at Winco?

I find it interesting that his mother is encouraging a not guilty plea and yet it is claimed his sister was suspicious enough to call in a tip. Makes for interesting family dinner parties. I also feel imo that Bk actively wants to face the death penalty over life imprisonment … were he able to confess and still achieve the DP perhaps he’d like that deal. However, as a criminology student I feel (again imo only) he is relishing the trial and living what he studies .

The other thing I have pondered is , was it him who tried to delete the Amazon purchase . Might that have been his own mother trying to cover his tracks?

The fact so little has gone out in the media about this family amazes me ! No neighbours making reflections or statements from anyone about the reactions of the Kohbergers. Sure will be interesting when gag orders lift what comes out the woodwork

 

[INfisherman]

He sounds like he thinks he is smarter by telling the Pullman police department that he could show them how to do something better than the way they were doing it. I do not think he got the internship and that may have angered him.

Police said Kohberger applied for an internship with the Pullman police in the fall of 2022. In an essay he said he wanted to help "rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations," according to court documents.

Idaho murders: Suspect applied for internship with local police department

The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in the early hours of Dec. 30, according to police.

abcnews.go.com

I’m guessing that internship won’t be happening now & he’s learning first hand that rural agencies like Moscow are doing just fine collecting & analyzing data against him.

 

[Cool Cats]

This ^^^ could be problematic in terms of timing. The Defense wanted to discuss his autism during Opening Statements.

Judge H just ruled that unless BK testifies, the defense cannot discuss his autism. But the decision for a defendant to testify does not usually happen until the state rests their case.

So if the D says yes, he will testify and they then tell the jury all about him being autistic, what happens if he later decides he doesn't want to testify? I don't think the court can force him to do so?

So I guess the Judge is saying that the cannot discuss that in OS, but later when they put on their case, they can tell the jury about the autism angle before he takes the stand?

Right. Defendants usually testify after the State rests their case and it is the defense's turn to present their case.

By law, a defendant cannot be made to testify in their trial against their will. The defense cannot talk about BK having autism unless BK is actually sitting on the stand willing to be questioned about it.

What this tells me is that there is no proof, no professional diagnosis, that BK has autism and BK would have to convince the jury himself that he has it.

Otherwise, the defense could get the specific psychiatrist - who diagnosed BK years ago - on the stand to confirm an autism diagnosis. Apparently, BK was never officially diagnosed.

The defense recently had their own "expert" say that BK shows characteristics of autism but this is too little to late.

2 Cents

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Speaking of family: was BK not planning to return to WashState for the second semester? If money is tight in their household, why did father fly out to drive back with BK? Then, presumably Dad would need to drive back out with him after the holiday break and fly home again.

Wouldn’t it have been more efficient for BK to just fly back and forth for Christmas instead of Dad flying two times on top of the cost/effort of cross-country driving?

Just my musings, but maybe BK wasn’t planning to return? Or maybe wasn’t planning on coming back with a white Elantra? I can’t remember if he left anything much in his apartment — except his computer. MOO.

 

[katydid23]

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.

I agree. I think it exacerbated his deep anger towards sorority girls, frat boys and 'know nothing' professors. Their inability to see his strengths and intelligence really triggered BK. I think there was a slowly simmering rage building up for awhile.

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

Yes, he was an aspiring serial killer imo.

I think he imagined that he would drive back home to PA with his Dad, and wash his hands of the Moscow crimes. He had the nagging fear of his missing sheath, but surely he'd cleaned it well enough.

He probably hoped to just settle in to a new location and continue killing random victims, imo.

 

[katydid23]

He sounds like he thinks he is smarter by telling the Pullman police department that he could show them how to do something better than the way they were doing it. I do not think he got the internship and that may have angered him.

Police said Kohberger applied for an internship with the Pullman police in the fall of 2022. In an essay he said he wanted to help "rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations," according to court documents.

Idaho murders: Suspect applied for internship with local police department

The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in the early hours of Dec. 30, according to police.

abcnews.go.com

Good point. I think most applicants would say something like they wanted the internship so they could LEARN more about "how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations." As opposed to him assuming he was going to show them what to do...lol

It looks like the LE admins picked up on that little narcissistic hiccup and avoided a nightmare hire.

 

[Cool Cats]

Good point. I think most applicants would say something like they wanted the internship so they could LEARN more about "how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations." As opposed to him assuming he was going to show them what to do...lol

It looks like the LE admins picked up on that little narcissistic hiccup and avoided a nightmare hire.

Exactly.

2 Cents

 

[Cool Cats]

Then maybe he can show the jury his 23 receipts and other camera/digital evidence he was obsessively shopping at WinCo Foods in the middle of the night. Maybe produce a witness. Wait, he was a loner, that's right.

2 Cents

PS

There are places where I do business frequently and quite a few of the regular employees remember me and even greet me by name even though I do not know them by name or even remember some of them.

Point is....

If BK was a chronic 20 X's late night WinCo Foods customer, it is likely some of the employees would vouch for him such as:

"Oh yeah, we see him in here all the time on our night shift."

2 Cents

 

[Rumination1]

I had a fox come by my drive last night and my dog went ballistic m

How on earth did Murphy not react ? Was he sedated or such ?

Has anything ever been said about that stool against the back screen door

 

[MeadowMuffin]

Speaking of family: was BK not planning to return to WashState for the second semester? If money is tight in their household, why did father fly out to drive back with BK? Then, presumably Dad would need to drive back out with him after the holiday break and fly home again.

Wouldn’t it have been more efficient for BK to just fly back and forth for Christmas instead of Dad flying two times on top of the cost/effort of cross-country driving?

Just my musings, but maybe BK wasn’t planning to return? Or maybe wasn’t planning on coming back with a white Elantra? I can’t remember if he left anything much in his apartment — except his computer. MOO.

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.

 

[Cool Cats]

I find it interesting that his mother is encouraging a not guilty plea and yet it is claimed his sister was suspicious enough to call in a tip. Makes for interesting family dinner parties. I also feel imo that Bk actively wants to face the death penalty over life imprisonment … were he able to confess and still achieve the DP perhaps he’d like that deal. However, as a criminology student I feel (again imo only) he is relishing the trial and living what he studies .

The other thing I have pondered is , was it him who tried to delete the Amazon purchase . Might that have been his own mother trying to cover his tracks?

The fact so little has gone out in the media about this family amazes me ! No neighbours making reflections or statements from anyone about the reactions of the Kohbergers. Sure will be interesting when gag orders lift what comes out the woodwork

Wait. Where is this information about BK's mother?

His mother doesn't want him to plead guilty and avoid trial? Avoid the DP?

First I heard of his mom's opinion.