Idaho judge issues order on Kohberger's bid to have his family guaranteed courtroom seating

Witnesses are typically barred from sitting in on the testimony of other witnesses before they take the stand themselves. 

Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students with a knife in a home-invasion attack, had asked the court to grant his parents and two sisters guaranteed seating in the courtroom, which is expected to be packed with members of the public and journalists once his trial begins in August.

While his defense attorney Elisa Massoth said in court that his family has no interest in cooperating with the state, prosecutors revealed at a hearing last week that they would call "a few" relatives as witnesses.

Judge Steven Hippler told prosecutors to submit a list of which family members will testify, why they will be called, and why they can't be called right at the start of trial. He said the court would try and find a balance between Kohberger's right to have supporters present at a public trial and the prosecution's interest in having witnesses sequestered.

He set a deadline for April 25 and said he would issue a final order before the pretrial conference scheduled for May 15.

The other three victims were Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.