1 week ago
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(NewsNation) — Steve Goncalves, the father of murdered University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves, tells "Banfield" he and the families of fellow victims Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, killed by Bryan Kohberger, do not want photos of the crime scene to be released.
Goncalves told NewsNation the families have been concerned that images may find their way into the public eye.
His concern comes as the Idaho judge in the murder case against Bryan Kohberger says he will consider unsealing the evidence in the case, including photos of the deceased victims.
"I believe all the families have let that be known to the prosecuting team, that that's not anything that we were interested in," Goncalves said.
Kohberger, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.
(@kayleegoncalves Instagram)
University of Idaho students Xana Kernodle, right, and Ethan Chapin on a boat on Priest Lake in Idaho. Both students were among four found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental home on Nov. 13, 2022. (Jazzmin Kernodle via AP)
Kaylee Goncalves
"And we've been worried that we would see those leaked at any time when you had, like, certain stories and certain things been leaked since the very beginning. We're afraid that we'd wake up one morning and that may be on TV."
Goncavles dismissed the desire of those who may want images of the crime scene released.
"You don't get that. Those are our children, and we're not settling for that type of thing," he said.
"And I think it encourages ... and that's one thing that I think we show a little bit too much of, and I hope that we can give these kids some dignity, and we don't have to go there."
In his order, Judge Steven Hippler listed several documents he will examine and has given both prosecutors and defense attorneys 14 days to object to the release of any individual record.
Goncalves told NewsNation the families will try and keep the crime scene photos and autopsy reports "close to the chest."
He added that the families have not had communication from the prosecutor's office since the plea deal was in, other than providing them with the death certificate and autopsy.
"Other than that, we have to go through the official channels like everyone else. And when you guys are hearing about it, you're hearing about it before we are," Goncalves said.
Also on the list of sealed documents the court will consider unsealing are a guilty plea advisory form completed by Kohberger, a list of witnesses that would have been called at trial and evidence from defense lawyers on “alternate perpetrators" who may have been involved.
NewsNation's Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.
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