Bodycam video released this week showed an Idaho sheriff's deputy pulling over future killer Bryan Kohberger, who cordially answered questions nearly three months before he slaughtered four college students, launching a nationwide manhunt.
Kohberger was going at least 42 mph in a 35-mph zone near West Pullman and Farm roads at about 11:40 p.m. on Aug. 21. 2022, Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Duke wrote in an incident report.
Duke asked Kohberger whether he was wearing his seat belt, and Kohberger copped to it.
"Were you wearing your seat belt when I stopped you?" Duke inquired.
"No," Kohberger answered. "Just being honest with you."
"I appreciate that," Duke responded.
After running Kohberger's name through the system, Duke let him off for the speeding but wrote a ticket for failure to wear seat belts.
Kohberger appeared to be slightly annoyed about being ticketed after he answered the seat belt question.
Duke explained that seat belts were a departmental enforcement emphasis and said he had no real choice but to cite him for the $10 infraction.
Kohberger, a Washington State University doctoral student, was allowed to drive away in his white Hyundai Elantra.
The vehicle played a key role in the search for and eventual arrest of Kohberger on Dec. 30 in his native Pennsylvania.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in the deaths of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at an off-campus house.
Kohberger admitted the killings and waived his right to appeal in exchange for prosecutors’ agreeing not to seek a death sentence. The deal prevented a trial that had been set to start in August.
