Prosecutors Push to Use Kohberger's Selfie in Shocking Murder Trial - Here's Why!

Bryan Kohberger‘s selfie could become a key element of his trial.

During the trial, it’s been proposed by prosecutors to present a selfie that Kohberger is said to have taken following the murders at the University of Idaho—supposedly hours later. This photograph could potentially be used for comparison with the description of the intruder given in a witness statement, regarding what she saw inside the students’ residence.

Based on court records reviewed by both NBC News and TopMob News, it appears that Dylan Mortenson, one of the roommates living at the students’ home, identified as D.M. in the documents, claims to have witnessed a man inside their residence with a ski mask that exposed only his nose and eyes.

She informed the police that all she could recall were their eyebrows,” the records stated. “I can’t say for certain what their eyes appeared to be, but their eyebrows are what I distinctly remember. It was as if all I could focus on was their bushy eyebrows.

The records indicate that Mortenson was positioned roughly three feet away from the individual. The prosecution also stated that Mortenson is both reliable and capable of providing testimony, and that photographs of Kohberger are applicable and should be allowed during the court proceedings.

The picture captures Kohberger, who’s wearing a buttoned-up shirt and sporting Bluetooth earbuds, standing near what seems to be a shower area. He flashes a smile, gives a thumbs-up gesture, and poses for the camera.

According to the State, the photo was “snapped on his phone on November 13, 2022, just a few hours following the murders.

The Defense intends to leave out any proof related to “bushy eyebrows,” as they believe it might unjustifiably influence the jury.

The picture captures Kohberger posing near a bathroom area that resembles a shower, wearing a buttoned shirt and using wireless earphones. He’s flashing a thumbs-up sign and grinning broadly for the camera in this snapshot.

As a faithful adherent reporting, I can confirm that I captured the image on my phone, specifically on November 13, 2022. This photograph was taken just a few hours subsequent to the tragic homicides.

The Defense intends to omit any proof related to “bushy eyebrows,” as they believe it might be biased or unfair.

If a witness provides information about ‘full, bushy eyebrows’ during the trial, as reported by NBC News, it was suggested in court documents that the jury could potentially conclude that Mr. Kohberger is guilty based solely on his ‘bushy eyebrows.’

To learn more about the unsettling murders and the accusations against Kohberger, who denies guilt in four charges of first-degree murder and is due for a trial in August, continue below.

The individuals in question – Kaylee Goncalves (age 21), Madison Mogen (also 21), Xana Kernodle (just turned 20), and Ethan Chapin (also 20) – were students at the University of Idaho who resided in an apartment off-campus.

On November 12, 2022, as I prepared for bed, Gonclaves and Mogen were enjoying some sports at a local bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were immersed in the festivities of Chapin’s fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on November 13, we, my four roommates and I, found ourselves back at our shared three-story rental house.

Goncalves was a senior studying general subjects at the College of Arts and Humanities. She was anticipated to graduate in December before moving to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing company, as her friend Jordyn Quesnell shared with The New York Times.

Mogen, a marketing student, has been close friends with Gonglaves since their days in the sixth grade. After graduation, she intends to relocate to Boise, as revealed by family friend Jessie Frost to The Idaho Statesman.

At one point, Kernodle was a student majoring in marketing, as reported. She and Chapin, who studied recreation, sport, and tourism management, had been together since the spring, according to their neighbor Ellie McKnight, who shared this information with NBC News.

As a diligent follower of events, let me share that I, Dylan Mortensen, along with my roommate, Bethany Funke, were present at home when the tragic murders occurred. On November 13th, as per unsealed text messages from March 6, 2025, I and Bethany attempted to reach our other roommates after I spotted a masked individual wandering through our house, as detailed in documents we’ve obtained from TopMob News.

“No one is answering,” Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. “I’m rlly confused rn.”

She persistently contacted her roommates, encouraging them to reply. At 4:32 a.m., she messaged Goncalves, “Can you respond please,” and later at 10:23 a.m., she inquired, “Are you awake?

In the midst of my day at around noon, I found myself making an urgent call to 911, following a distressing discovery – a person known as Kernodle was discovered unresponsive. This information was later confirmed through a supplementary court filing obtained by TopMob News. The individual identified in the transcript as A1 provided the details of this unfortunate situation to the operator.

She mentioned, over the phone, that one of the roommates is still unconscious from being intoxicated the previous night and won’t wake up. They reported seeing a stranger in their home last night.

As a dedicated follower, I’d like to share that I was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University, just like Bryan Kohberger, who is currently facing four charges of first-degree murder. Over a month after the tragic discovery of the bodies belonging to Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin, Kohberger was apprehended on December 30 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. He was then transported to Idaho on January 4.

In June 2023, court records disclosed by NBC News suggested that authorities linked him to the murders through DNA discovered on a knife sheath abandoned at the crime scene.

When the DNA didn’t correspond with anyone in the FBI database, authorities decided to run it through popular genealogy websites to generate a list of possible suspects, as stated in court documents. Upon discovering that Kohberger had visited his parents’ residence in Monroe County, local officials conducted a search through their trash and found DNA that connected him with the DNA found on the sheath.

Currently, no clear reason for the attack has been disclosed, and due to a court order, many parties connected to the case are prohibited from making public statements, according to NBC News. Nevertheless, some information about their arguments was revealed through the released documents.

Lawyers for Kohberger presented a motion to dismiss the possibility of capital punishment, stating that if found guilty on all charges, he might face the death penalty according to a ruling made in November 2024. They argued that Kohberger has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and carrying out the death penalty in his case would go against the Eighth Amendment’s protection against “cruel and unusual punishment.

In simpler terms, the defense contends that Kohbereger tends to think in a very strict manner, repeatedly focuses on certain subjects, handles information in small chunks, has trouble anticipating future events, and shows limited awareness of his own actions and feelings.

The statement stated that due to Mr. Kohberger’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), he is unable to conform to societal norms as expected, potentially leading to an injustice where he might face execution based on his disability instead of his actions.

In the court proceedings of May 2023, the judge entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Kohberger, since he chose to remain silent at his arraignment. Initially scheduled for October 2, 2023, the trial was postponed as Kohberger opted to relinquish his right to a speedy trial in August 2023.

The commencement of his fresh court case, scheduled for August 11, 2025, will occur in Ada County, over 300 miles from Latah County where the crimes occurred.

As a die-hard fan following this case closely, I can’t help but share my excitement as John Judge, the Latah County Judge, made a landmark decision back in September 2024. He granted Kohberger’s defense team’s request for transfer due to potential bias if the trial continued in Latah County. Fast forward to now, we have Steven Hippler, Ada County Judge, taking the reins over this high-profile case. Despite the defense’s attempt to exclude crucial evidence such as DNA, cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases, and DNA evidence, he firmly denied their request, ensuring a fair and thorough trial lies ahead!

2025-03-21 17:20

Prosecutors Push to Use Kohberger’s Selfie in Shocking Murder Trial – Here’s Why!

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