Judge narrows gag order in University of Idaho student slayings case

A judge denied a request from about two dozen media outlets to lift a gag order in the criminal case against Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, but, instead, the judge significantly narrowed the gag order.

Idaho 2nd District Judge John Judge said in a ruling late Friday that attorneys should be restricted from issuing some statements in order to preserve Kohberger's right to a fair trial, according to The Associated Press. 

However, Judge also said the original gag order, which prohibited law enforcement officers and others connected to the case from speaking to the media, was "arguably overbroad and vague in some areas."

Kohberger, 28, faces four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the fatal stabbings of students Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho in November.

It is unclear whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

Judge said Friday in his ruling that "the very limited incidental effects of the speech restrictions on the media’s First Amendment rights are overridden by the compelling interest in ensuring fair trial by an impartial jury."

The new gag order is known as a "nondissemination order" and it prohibits attorneys, victims or witnesses in the case from issuing statements that have a "substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing or otherwise influencing the outcome of the case."

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.