An Idaho Quickie
Back from Moscow, in from the cold....
Apologies!
Your humble narrator has been off-line for a bit with travel to Idaho, re: the terrible quadruple murder case that has since been taken down. It’s been a rare privilege to work with the smooth-as-silk host Lawrence Jones and his crack production team.
But I’ve returned intact from that rugged, beautiful state. So let’s cover a few topics with an abbreviated dispatch today:
IDAHO
Kudos to the Moscow PD and the entire task force for ignoring the doubters who were so quick to term the case “cold.” I’m very glad we never did that here… or ever on air.
Anyone who knows investigations these days knows that they are heavily dependent on digital forensics — which, as we’ve covered, take time. And pulling all the video, analyzing it, isolating DNA, doing the interviews… again, time.
For a quick primer on how the current evidence in the case stacks up, see my new article on foxnews.com, here. I believe the case is looking strong.
BUT: What’s with Thursday’s hearing?
I think the Goncalves family attorney spoke for many when he stated, “It will be six months away, so I think that was a surprise to everyone.”
Six months? For a probable cause hearing?
I’m coming around to the idea that something else is going on. The prosecutor did not object — indeed, agreed — when the defense made the aggressive move to ask for the six months.
And if the defense is being so aggressive… why no request for a change of venue?
Understand — this doesn’t mean the trial starts then. This is just a probable cause hearing. We won’t even get a “guilty” or “not guilty” plea at that hearing. After that still comes a ton of procedure and discovery, then the choosing of a jury, the setting of a trial date, the trial… and then, depending on the result, the sentencing.
At this pace, the case could take 3 years, easy. The prosecution’s okay with this? (Because I’m not sure I would be, were I a family member).
So what could be going on?
Well, an informed reader suggests the possibility of an early plea. That is, that the defense may already have put out a feeler for a deal that would spare the accused’s life (Idaho has the death penalty).
And working out a plea deal takes time. The prosecution will want a lot: the knife; the motive; any conspirators; and almost certainly: Mr. Kohberger, have you ever done this before?
And if the accused were to lie about any of this as the task force investigates it… deal’s off.
Hence: Six months, to run all this down.
Recall: We haven’t seen all the evidence. Did the swab they took of his cheek in Pennsylvania 100% match the DNA on the knife sheath? Do some of the videos of the car actually show him inside the car? Was there DNA in the defensive wounds of the victims? Was there even further incriminating material on the computer seized in Washington?
All this could be so much leverage for the state, a guilty plea is already being contemplated.
And there is a last consideration: Is there a chance the task force is looking to arrest his father as an accessory after-the-fact… and not doing that is part of the deal?
All this is speculation, mind you. But it would explain a lot.
GEORGE SANTOS
As we gear up the new website (set to debut over the next week), the team here has become somewhat fixated on the case of the newly elected Congressman from New York, George Santos.
Sure, the left has its liars (Adam Schiff is the current championship belt holder). But I’ve been around awhile, and I cannot ever recall such a brazen con being perpetrated in plain view. I mean, are we even sure “George Santos” is his name?
The Ops Desk gang has been pulling at this case… and finding some amazing things. We’ll be organizing it into a coherent whole, for presentation on the new site (see here for an early look at the site prototype).
First question we’re asking: Forget resigning — is Santos likely to be arrested?
I think we have the answer.
Stay tuned.
AMERICA REPORTS
Catch your narrator today (Friday) on America Reports with Sandra Smith and John Roberts in the 1 pm ET hour to discuss… whatever they ask me to discuss.
Hope you can join us.
And tune in Saturday night for another session with the gang on Cross Country With Lawrence Jones!
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
Prince Harry says he was bred to offer spare organs to heir William
I think I’m actually okay with that.
R.I.P, JEFF BECK
Even classic rockers grow old… and while I wasn’t a devotee of Beck, he played with some of the greats. And in truth, I mourn the passing of the original generation of rock royalty.
So let me leave you with this: Eric Clapton and Beck doing the Henry Mancini song, Moon River.
Beck’s guitar here is the antithesis of hard-rock flash. It’s plaintive, wistful… even nostalgic, in a strange way.
If you don’t find this affecting… check your pulse.
Folks, we’ll be back tomorrow with a Weekend Buff… and another dispatch over the weekend. Stay safe!