Internet sleuths in murder case becoming a problem

[Randy]

'Internet sleuths' in Idaho murder case 'becoming a problem,' former FBI agent says

Case watchers believe Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may have attended a vigil for the four victims following the Moscow massacre in November.

www.foxnews.com

'Internet sleuths' in Idaho murder case 'becoming a problem,' former FBI agent says​

Case watchers believe suspect Bryan Kohberger may have attended the victims' vigil following the Moscow massacre​

While experts say it would not be out of the ordinary for Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger to have attended a vigil for the victims he allegedly slaughtered in November, one is warning allegations being made by "internet sleuths" are "becoming a problem" in the investigation.

Former FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam joined "Fox & Friends First" Monday to discuss the latest on the murder investigation and what armchair detectives are saying about the case.

"That's actually pretty common for killers to somewhat show back up at the crime scene or at a vigil, and as we saw that he returned back to the crime scene even later the day after he allegedly did this," Gilliam told co-host Todd Piro. "I don't think it would be a far-fetched thing for him to show up to this vigil."

A side by side of Steve and Kristi Goncalves and Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering their daughter and three other students. (Ted Warren via AP/Latah County Sheriff's Office )

But Gilliam was quick to note that although it is very possible Kohberger attended the event honoring the lives of the four slain University of Idaho students, the "internet sleuths" are now facilitating issues within the investigation.

"One problem I'm having today is with these internet sleuths. I didn't have a problem with him at first, but I think now the problem is that they are inciting things," Gilliam said. "In the case of the girl who… the roommate who didn't call police immediately. They're making mountains out of molehills, and they're actually, in the case of this girl, causing the public to turn on certain people."

"So the online sleuths are becoming a problem, and also mainstream media is starting to report things that they say that don't really make any difference at all to the entire case," he continued.

Jennifer Coffindaffer, also a former FBI agent, echoed Gilliam's sentiment regarding Kohberger's possible attendance on "Fox & Friends First."


"They want to be in the midst of what's happening, listen to the rumors, be abreast of everything," Coffindaffer said. "I would believe whoever committed this murder watched closely on social media, mainstream media, not only eating it up for tips as to what the investigation, the direction it was going, but also sort of seeing before him what he had done play out in the media."


"He loves this attention," she continued.

Kohberger was arrested in December in connection with the murders of Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21 on November 13.

He was extradited to Idaho last week after being held in a Pennsylvania jail.

If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty. The motive for the massacre remains unclear.

Thoughts?

 

[PGen98]

They're a problem in a lot of cases. Remember the marathon bombing? Internet detectives we're sure they had their man, outed him, had death threats going to him and he wasn't even involved. Same with a recent school shooting incident, internet sleuths pointed the finger at a trans girl, had absolutely nothing to do with it.

 

[Webster]

They're a problem in a lot of cases. Remember the marathon bombing? Internet detectives we're sure they had their man, outed him, had death threats going to him and he wasn't even involved. Same with a recent school shooting incident, internet sleuths pointed the finger at a trans girl, had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Richard Jewell. Enough said.

 

[PGen98]

Richard Jewell. Enough said.

Ah yeah, 96(?) bombing...terrible how he was treated.

 

[Nebulous]

They're a problem in a lot of cases. Remember the marathon bombing? Internet detectives we're sure they had their man, outed him, had death threats going to him and he wasn't even involved. Same with a recent school shooting incident, internet sleuths pointed the finger at a trans girl, had absolutely nothing to do with it.

I didn't hear about that, but that is pretty sad. Poor guy.

 

[PGen98]

I didn't hear about that, but that is pretty sad. Poor guy.

Yeah, it's unfortunately consistent now. They'll "find the right person" and out them before law enforcement says anything and then it turns out they're totally wrong and ruining some innocent person's life for no reason.

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah, it's unfortunately consistent now. They'll "find the right person" and out them before law enforcement says anything and then it turns out they're totally wrong and ruining some innocent person's life for no reason.

That mob mentality is horrible sometimes.

 

[PGen98]

That mob mentality is horrible sometimes.

Agreed, just get the facts before jumping to conclusions...

 

[Nebulous]

Agreed, just get the facts before jumping to conclusions...

They think they DO have the facts, thats one of the big problems.

 

[Webster]

Yeah, it's unfortunately consistent now. They'll "find the right person" and out them before law enforcement says anything and then it turns out they're totally wrong and ruining some innocent person's life for no reason.

It can also screw up legal cases later on because all the defense atty. has to do during trial is point at the other accused and say 'they did it' and sometimes ride that right to an acquittal...

 

[PGen98]

It can also screw up legal cases later on because all the defense atty. has to do during trial is point at the other accused and say 'they did it' and sometimes ride that right to an acquittal...

Yep, most definitely! All sorts of issues from false accusations

 

[Nebulous]

false accusations

Thats all you need these days to ruin someone's life ... an accusation

 

[PGen98]

Thats all you need these days to ruin someone's life ... an accusation

Sad but true

 

[McConnaughay]

Yeah, I could see some of these internet sleuths with their True Crime podcasts becoming out-of-hand. The sheer amount of carelessness, lack of research, and speculation is beyond irresponsible, and why channels like this, for the most part, should be discouraged.

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah, I could see some of these internet sleuths with their True Crime podcasts becoming out-of-hand. The sheer amount of carelessness, lack of research, and speculation is beyond irresponsible, and why channels like this, for the most part, should be discouraged.

Yes! Some of those true crime podcasts are quite pretentious. I tried listening to a few but had to unsubscribe.