Overview

• Judge Steven Hippler said the gag order’s purpose of ensuring an impartial jury ended with Kohberger’s guilty plea and formally removed it on July 17
• A coalition of news organizations led by The Associated Press had petitioned for the order’s removal once no jury trial was planned
• Kohberger entered a guilty plea on July 2 to avoid a possible death sentence and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23
• Hippler declined to unseal hundreds of court filings immediately and said he will review them after the sentencing hearing
• Steve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee Goncalves, demanded that all case documents be released before sentencing so families can prepare impact statements