The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy

Bryan Kohberger sits in the defendant’s box only a few feet away from the Goncalves family. His public defender, Anne Taylor, is glossy and confident. Bill Thompson, the prosecutor, gave her her first job after law school. The judge is Megan Marshall. They set a court date for a few days later to determine dates for the preliminary hearing.

Steve Goncalves watches with mixed but intense emotions. He has read the probable-cause affidavit and knows that the evidence is strong but that there may be room for the defense to maneuver around the DNA evidence. He wants to speak for Kaylee, but the judge issues a gag order stopping anyone connected to the investigation from speaking to the media. Days later, she updates it to include the lawyers for the victims’ families and witnesses. Steve’s attorney, Shanon Gray—along with 30 news organizations—file appeals. Steve worries about what he has seen happen in an information vacuum—the rumors about Kaylee and Jack DuCoeur, for example. The Goncalves family repurposes an old Facebook page into a supportive online community for families going through this kind of experience.