MOSCOW, Idaho – A second family of one of the University of Idaho students murdered in 2022 has joined a request for the judge to keep some crime scene photos from being released.
Agencies released some of the photos from the Moscow crime after Bryan Kohberger was sentenced for the murders. The photos did not show the bodies, but did show the home in the morning after the murders, including bloody beds and walls.
The photos were shared by some news agencies and by online true crime accounts on social media.
4 News Now did not air the photos at the time, as news managers determined it didn’t shed any new light on the case and had the potential to do more harm.
Now, some families have expressed concern that more pictures will be released, showing the victims’ bodies.
Madison Mogen’s mother Karen Laramie has filed a lawsuit in Latah County to stop the City of Moscow for releasing graphic images and video.
“He was put in prison for the rest of his life,” said Laramie’s attorney Leander James, speaking about Kohberger and the family’s reaction since his sentencing. “They could actually breathe a little and travel a lot, and then they’re hit with this, these ugly photographs, the prospect that they’re being put out there. Some were put out there without even us being given notice.”
James filed the request on Laramie’s behalf last week.
“I understand that this public interest and I understand the First Amendment,” James said. “But there’s an exception in the law. And when it’s an unwarranted invasion into the person’s personal or the family members personal privacy in this case, you don’t get it.”
Friday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order halting any images, audio and video of inside Mogen’s bedroom until a hearing can be held.
“Judge Marshall found that major portions of what had been released did not constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy,” wrote Moscow City Administrator Bill Belknap in a news release Monday. “However, Judge Marshall stated that there are portions of videos and photographs in their redacted form, specifically including unreleased bodycam video, that could constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy at this time.”
The city said that while the order related only to Mogen’s bedroom, the city would not release any more photos and videos until it was fully reviewed by the court.
Since then, Stacy and Jim Chapin have written declarations in support of the motion.
A hearing is set for Thursday morning in Latah County.
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