BOISE, ID – A court order issued on Wednesday has granted permission for the family members of Bryan Kohberger to remain present in the courtroom during his upcoming trial.

The decision, made by Judge Steven Hippler, allows Kohberger’s parents and siblings to attend the proceedings despite previous considerations to exclude witnesses.

Hippler cited the Kohberger’s constitutional right to a public trial, which includes the presence of family members. He noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized the importance of family support during criminal trials, emphasizing that it helps ensure fairness and transparency in the judicial process.

The ruling comes after prosecutors requested the court to determine whether Kohberger’s immediate family members should be excluded from the courtroom prior to testifying. This is a common practice aimed at preventing witnesses from potentially shaping their testimony based on what they hear from others.

Kohberger, 30, a former Washington State University graduate student, is charged in the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow on November 13, 2022.

Prosecutors intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.  The trial is set to begin in August.