Keith Morrison

Spokane, Washington defense attorney Derek Reed agrees. He's not involved in the case, but he's been keeping track of developments.

Spokane, Washington defense attorney Derek Reed agrees. He's not involved in the case, but he's been keeping track of developments.

especially perhaps about the young woman, the apparent witness, who later looked at a picture of Brian Koberger and said, I have no idea who this is. Oh boy. On such questions, a trial can turn.

especially perhaps about the young woman, the apparent witness, who later looked at a picture of Brian Koberger and said, I have no idea who this is. Oh boy. On such questions, a trial can turn.

There was a time in American courtrooms when an airtight case for the state meant simply this. To hear former Idaho Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Dave Leroy tell it.

There was a time in American courtrooms when an airtight case for the state meant simply this. To hear former Idaho Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Dave Leroy tell it.

And in the Coburger case, there is one eyewitness all right. Dylan Mortenson, the King Road roommate who opened her bedroom door that night and later told police she had seen a man in black clothing with bushy eyebrows walking past her as she stood frozen in shock. a man who then left the house while Dylan locked herself in her bedroom.

And in the Coburger case, there is one eyewitness all right. Dylan Mortenson, the King Road roommate who opened her bedroom door that night and later told police she had seen a man in black clothing with bushy eyebrows walking past her as she stood frozen in shock. a man who then left the house while Dylan locked herself in her bedroom.

Prosecutors will use that thumbs-up selfie Koberger took hours later to show the jury what his eyebrows looked like at the time of the murder. But there is also this, the sort of thing defense attorneys dream of.

Prosecutors will use that thumbs-up selfie Koberger took hours later to show the jury what his eyebrows looked like at the time of the murder. But there is also this, the sort of thing defense attorneys dream of.

Remember, too, that Dylan said the man was wearing a ski mask. The state has more evidence, of course. including the security video of Suspect Vehicle 1 and the fact that Koberger's phone was turned off during the time the murders occurred, about which the defense has claimed.

Remember, too, that Dylan said the man was wearing a ski mask. The state has more evidence, of course. including the security video of Suspect Vehicle 1 and the fact that Koberger's phone was turned off during the time the murders occurred, about which the defense has claimed.

We cannot know, of course we can't, what a jury will think of the case against Brian Koberger. or whether the state can prove that the orgy of violence perpetrated on Maddie Mogan, Katie Goncalves, Zanna Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin was his doing. But this? This we do know.

We cannot know, of course we can't, what a jury will think of the case against Brian Koberger. or whether the state can prove that the orgy of violence perpetrated on Maddie Mogan, Katie Goncalves, Zanna Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin was his doing. But this? This we do know.

And if Koberger is convicted? Prosecutors will offer reasons, aggravating factors, they're called, that those crimes deserve the death penalty. that the murders were especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, and exhibited utter disregard for human life.

And if Koberger is convicted? Prosecutors will offer reasons, aggravating factors, they're called, that those crimes deserve the death penalty. that the murders were especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, and exhibited utter disregard for human life.

The defense will try to save Coburger's life with factors that mitigate or weaken the arguments for death, which, if it comes to that, might be more difficult here than in other states. Idaho supports capital punishment overwhelmingly. Defense Attorney Derek Reed.

The defense will try to save Coburger's life with factors that mitigate or weaken the arguments for death, which, if it comes to that, might be more difficult here than in other states. Idaho supports capital punishment overwhelmingly. Defense Attorney Derek Reed.

It's true. Kaylee Goncalves' family has been vocal in its call for Coburger to face the death penalty.

It's true. Kaylee Goncalves' family has been vocal in its call for Coburger to face the death penalty.