Exclusive: Former Ph.D. Student Accused of Quadruple Stabbing May Receive Preferential Treatment in Jail

MOSCOW, Idaho – Bryan Kohberger, the former criminology Ph.D. student facing charges for the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho undergraduates during a home invasion, might be receiving special privileges while in jail, as per a statement from the father of one of the victims.

Kohberger, who has been held at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, since January without bail, is said to be enjoying unprecedented treatment, including wearing suits, special video and computer access, and being provided with vegan meals, according to Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the victims.

Shortly after Kohberger’s arrival in Idaho, Latah County Sheriff Richard Skiles mentioned that the jail was accommodating Kohberger’s request for vegan meals, though they wouldn’t be purchasing new cookware for it.

After initially appearing in court in an orange jumpsuit, Kohberger began showing up dressed in a suit and tie, prompting questions about who paid for these suits. However, public records requests for information related to the defense budget were denied due to a gag order on the case.

Steve Goncalves expressed frustration, stating, “They won’t tell us, but I witnessed the moment they agreed not to handcuff him in court.”

The tragic incident occurred when Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and her lifelong best friend Madison Mogen, also 21, were found dead in their rental house on King Road, near the college campus. Additionally, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20, were discovered stabbed to death on the second floor. The county coroner confirmed that all four victims had been fatally stabbed.

According to a December probable cause affidavit, two other occupants were unharmed, with one witness seeing a masked individual leaving through the rear sliding door. Unfortunately, due to a gag order, this remains the most detailed account of the allegations against Kohberger.

Authorities had been tight-lipped about the case from the outset, and Kohberger’s defense attorney, Anne Taylor, declined to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

Currently, both the defense and the Latah County Prosecuting Attorney, Bill Thompson, are seeking to exclude news cameras from the courtroom. The judge will make a decision on this matter at a later date following a hearing.

A media group led by The Associated Press opposes this measure, and legal experts argue that both parties’ arguments for excluding cameras may not hold water.

Kohberger, 28, faces four charges of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. If found guilty, he could potentially face the death penalty. At his arraignment in May, a judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, and the trial, initially scheduled for October, has been postponed.