In Boise, Idaho, the judge presiding over Brian Coberger’s upcoming murder trial is keen to uncover the sources of any leaks related to the investigation that may have breached confidentiality agreements. This concern extends beyond news organizations to potentially anyone else involved.
Fourth District Judge Stephen Hippler instructed both the prosecution and defense to compile a list of individuals, which includes staff, law enforcement personnel, and defense consultants, who might have access to such information.
Hippler expressed readiness to appoint a special prosecutor if necessary to address these leak concerns, particularly those that could compromise the gag orders established since 2023.
Coberger, 30, previously a graduate student at Washington State University, faces charges linked to the tragic deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Zana Carnodor, Madison Morgen, and Kayley Goncalves. Their bodies were discovered on November 13, 2022, in a rental house near the university in Moscow, Idaho.
Innocent pleas will be entered for him, with the trial set to begin in August. Prosecutors have indicated they may pursue the death penalty if Coberger is convicted.
In legal documents, Judge Hippler noted that someone affiliated with either law enforcement or the prosecution might be infringing upon the gag order. Such leaks, he warned, could derail the trial process, leading to additional complications and financial repercussions for taxpayers.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a fair trial, stating that violations of the gag order could significantly hinder both sides’ abilities to operate effectively. His goal is to pinpoint the source of the leaks and understand the circumstances surrounding them.
Moreover, Hippler mandated that all individuals directly or indirectly connected to the case retain records of any communications with outsiders about the investigation involving Coberger.
During the later stages of a pretrial hearing, Hippler discussed these leaks with both legal teams and referred to episodes of Dateline that might relate to the violations. Following one of these broadcasts, he decided it warranted appointing additional jurors for the trial and expressed a desire to formally request an investigation into the issues raised.
