ADA COUNTY, Idaho — The role of media and free speech has been at the center of the Kohberger case from the beginning, raising questions about what information the public deserves to know and when.
The disturbing nature of the crimes sparked international attention and in the two and half years since, it has spawned countless blogs, podcasts, news specials, documentary series, as well as a book by James Patterson. All this despite a strict gag order issued early on by a North Idaho judge preventing those closest to the case from speaking to the media.
The gag order aimed to preserve Kohberger’s constitutional right to a fair trial by giving more opportunity to seat an unbiased jury…