Okay, another reporter's perspective from inside the courtroom
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Just touched down in Moscow, Idaho. I'll be in the courtroom tomorrow following the two proceedings re: the current gag order in place for the Kohberger trial. Follow along - I'll live tweet as I can while bouncing to liveshots for
@NewsNation to provide updates thru the day.
Judge: "One of the issues is that this is potentially a death penalty case...The families of the victims would certainly be witnesses..." "I have a job of protecting and preserving the 1st amendment and also the 6th amendment. And there is some balancing there. That's why
Gray says he is in disbelief that the prosecutors office is not in agreement about his motion. Mr. Gray: "I have not seen a poorer line of communication in my 22 years of practicing between the prosecutors office and the Goncalves family.”
The first of two hearings is scheduled to begin in a few minutes. Today it's all about the gag order that severely restricts the ability for anyone in this case (attorneys, law enforcement, victim families) to discuss it openly.
Now Gray saying that this gag order has prevented his clients from having any access to the facts of the case. Judge seems surprised by this statement. Says he is learning new information and that everyone will have a chance to speak.
Mr. Gray has made his case. The State will now have a chance to share their beliefs on the motion. Latah County Prosocutor Bill Thompson: "We have a duty of candor to the court. Mr. Gray has made representations to the court that are at best misleading... I do not want the… Show more
Kohberger's legal team now speaking. Attorney is going through previous case law. Kohberger is looking straight ahead. He could be listening intently, but he appears to be focusing on a single point in front of him.
"At minimum, it is insincere that he is being bound by the order when it is clearly not being abided by." -- attorney making the point that Mr. Gray and the Goncalves family have made many media appearances since January.
Attorney making the point that the rights to a fair trial for Kohberger will be compromised by pre-trial publicity. "The order is an appropriate measure of the court to uphold its duty... to preserve the right to a fair and impartial trial.”
Kohberger attorney asks the court to uphold the non-dissemination order or tailor it with specificity. 2nd Kohberger attorney now speaking. It is defense's position that anyone involved in this case is involved in the litigation. That goes for Goncalves family and attorney.
Kohberger Attorney on pre-trial publicity: "It seems that no matter what anybody says or does, in some way, it will be twisted against my client."
Mr. Gray now gets a chance to make counterpoints now that we've heard from pros. & defense. Gray says that he is not participating in front of the courts and is not a party to the case, therefore the non-dissemination order should not apply to him.
Mr. Gray: "This idea that [the Goncalves family is] going to be witnesses in this case is just an attempt by the prosecution to shut them up as well as shut me up.”
The judge says he is not going to issue a decision today. He will issue a written decision. The gag order remains in place for now. "I heard some very interesting arguments today... I will try to get a decision out as soon as possible.”
That's it for now! Liveshots beginning soon for
@NewsNation amidst the chaos of breaking news with the Trump indictment. I'll be live tweeting again during the second Kohberger hearing beginning at 4:30ET.