‘Incredibly disappointed’: Goncalves family accuses judge of favoritism over moving U of I murders trial

MOSCOW, Idaho — The family of one of the University of Idaho murder victims is expressing their dismay at the decision to move Bryan Kohberger’s trial out of Latah County.

Kaylee Goncalves’ family issued a statement after the ruling saying they were “incredibly disappointed” in Judge John Judge’s ruling.

MORE: Judge moves murder trial for Bryan Kohberger out of Latah County

In their statement, the family accuses Judge Judge of favoring the defense and criticized him for how he handled the change of venue proceedings.

You can read the full Goncalves family statement below:

The family is incredibly disappointed in the Judge’s ruling granting the change of venue. The only good thing about this decision is it will be Judge Judge’s last decision in this case. The family has always felt that Judge Judge favored the defense and it was a common theme that whatever the defense wanted or needed they got. The written decision is even more informative. If the Judge knew Latah County could not handle this trial for safety reasons, not enough court clerks, logistics and lacking space, why did we waste over a year in a county he knew was not going to handle the trial. The points he mentioned didn’t all of a sudden jump up and bite him in the rear. Another issue was the poor cross examination by the State of the Defense expert witnesses. A judge can only rely on the evidence presented and when you don’t properly cross examine expert witnesses or present any of your own, you are left relying on the opinions of the Defense. Then lets not forget the massive contradiction of having a University of Idaho employee as an expert witness (Aliza Cover) and at the same time allowing Scott Green the University of Idaho president to write a book claiming to be an integral part of your investigation. Finally, what was the point of the non dissemination order, private hearings, closed door tactics, allowing the Defendant to be dressed in suit for every televised hearing, etc…if not to keep the trial in Latah County. As victims’s families you are left to just watch like everyone else and really you have little rights or say in the process and at the same time you are the most vested in the outcome. We have always felt that a fair and impartial jury could be found in Latah County and still believe that is where the trial deserves to be held to help the community heal. Thank you again for all your support and prayers!