MOSCOW, Idaho — An Idaho state judge extended an order blocking release of footage from Madison Mogen’s room and expanded it to include all victims’ rooms.
This comes after a request from Ethan Chapin and Madison Mogen’s families, that the city of Moscow stop releasing footage of the crime scene officers walked into the night their children were killed.
Andrew Pluskal represents the city of Moscow. His brief written before Thursday’s hearing asks the court to deny the temporary restraining order.
“The city is the man in the middle here,” Pluskal said. “There is no longer an investigation ongoing. For good or for worse, the materials had to come out, unless an exception applies.”
Leander James represents Madison Mogen’s family. He argues the graphic crime scene images should not be public because they violate privacy.
“When you look at what these images would show, the dead bodies, I mean, what more do we need to know?” James said.
James pleaded with the court in Thursday’s hearing to make the block permanent. This would stop release of any more images of dead bodies or blood.
“They were victimized first with the murder of their child and sibling,” James said. “They were then re-victimized when these images, these gory images, were disseminated to the public.”
Some photos showing blood and video interviews with victims’ friends were released before the court order.
The judge has not set a timeline for the final decision, but is in the process of considering whether this footage should be released to the public.
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