Will Character Witnesses At Kohberger Trial Paint A Dark Picture?
Aug 17, 2023, 01:00 PM
In a recent episode of the esteemed podcast "Hidden Killers," host Tony Brueski sat down with former Federal prosecutor and attorney Neama Rahmani to delve into the captivating case against Brian Kohberger. With both bringing a unique perspective, the conversation was rife with analysis, questions, and insight into the case's evidence, which is currently shielded by a gag order.
The overarching question is, given the current knowledge, how will the defense handle character testimonies from Kohberger's acquaintances? Rahmani speculates, “They're going to try to keep a lot of that, and what we've seen. The defense in this case... It's going to be two-tiered. They're going to focus on the jury... Oftentimes, they're really looking at those appellate courts, especially in a death penalty case."
Kohberger, as described, doesn’t seem to be a social butterfly. So, the approach to introducing character witnesses can be a double-edged sword. Rahmani cautioned about the pitfalls, stating, "that prior bad acts, evidence 404B character evidence, that's something that appellate courts really take a close look at." The prosecution might be wary of leaning too heavily on character witnesses for fear of later appeals.
Regarding the evidence, Brueski brought up the concerning lack of multiple DNAs at the crime scene. Rahmani chimed in, "For a crime scene that's been so gruesome and horrific and bloody, you'd expect there to be a lot more DNA than just one single source in a knife sheath."
A significant portion of the discussion hovered around Kohberger’s phone records. With potential evidence pointing toward stalking, Brueski ponders the information to be unveiled during the trial. "Are we going to be blown away by information? Is there going to be a treasure trove of planning, of images of stalking on that device?"
Rahmani responded, "Even though there is that broad gag order, this is the biggest case in the country right now... if there was that smoking gun, I would've thought that maybe someone would've reported it because there's so much coverage of this case."
In terms of ensuring impartiality for the upcoming trial in a small town, Rahmani brings up the omnipresence of social media. "Everyone in the world has heard about this case," he asserts, making the selection of an unbiased jury increasingly challenging. "Is the defense going to try to challenge the venue, get things moved? We saw this happen with Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow, the other big Idaho case." Rahmani pointed out the challenges faced in the Chauvin-Floyd case, suggesting that, like in that situation, jury selection for Kohberger's trial could span days, if not weeks.
In conclusion, as the case against Brian Kohberger progresses, new revelations and strategies continue to emerge, painting a clearer picture for the public. Rahmani's insights, combined with Brueski's probing questions, offer a unique and thought-provoking exploration of what's currently known about the case, and what might come next. Only time will tell how the trial unfolds, but with the world watching, the search for justice is palpable.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The overarching question is, given the current knowledge, how will the defense handle character testimonies from Kohberger's acquaintances? Rahmani speculates, “They're going to try to keep a lot of that, and what we've seen. The defense in this case... It's going to be two-tiered. They're going to focus on the jury... Oftentimes, they're really looking at those appellate courts, especially in a death penalty case."
Kohberger, as described, doesn’t seem to be a social butterfly. So, the approach to introducing character witnesses can be a double-edged sword. Rahmani cautioned about the pitfalls, stating, "that prior bad acts, evidence 404B character evidence, that's something that appellate courts really take a close look at." The prosecution might be wary of leaning too heavily on character witnesses for fear of later appeals.
Regarding the evidence, Brueski brought up the concerning lack of multiple DNAs at the crime scene. Rahmani chimed in, "For a crime scene that's been so gruesome and horrific and bloody, you'd expect there to be a lot more DNA than just one single source in a knife sheath."
A significant portion of the discussion hovered around Kohberger’s phone records. With potential evidence pointing toward stalking, Brueski ponders the information to be unveiled during the trial. "Are we going to be blown away by information? Is there going to be a treasure trove of planning, of images of stalking on that device?"
Rahmani responded, "Even though there is that broad gag order, this is the biggest case in the country right now... if there was that smoking gun, I would've thought that maybe someone would've reported it because there's so much coverage of this case."
In terms of ensuring impartiality for the upcoming trial in a small town, Rahmani brings up the omnipresence of social media. "Everyone in the world has heard about this case," he asserts, making the selection of an unbiased jury increasingly challenging. "Is the defense going to try to challenge the venue, get things moved? We saw this happen with Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow, the other big Idaho case." Rahmani pointed out the challenges faced in the Chauvin-Floyd case, suggesting that, like in that situation, jury selection for Kohberger's trial could span days, if not weeks.
In conclusion, as the case against Brian Kohberger progresses, new revelations and strategies continue to emerge, painting a clearer picture for the public. Rahmani's insights, combined with Brueski's probing questions, offer a unique and thought-provoking exploration of what's currently known about the case, and what might come next. Only time will tell how the trial unfolds, but with the world watching, the search for justice is palpable.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com